VfB Stuttgart is gearing up for an important Bundesliga clash as they host Union Berlin in Swabia, looking to avenge their earlier loss to the visitors on the opening day of the season. With ambitions to secure a European spot, Stuttgart heads into the Rückrunde in solid form, following two critical victories against Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Stuttgart’s recent performances have been impressive, highlighted by a 4-0 thrashing of Bayer Leverkusen, where Jamie Leweling netted two goals and assists came from Maximilian Mittelstädt and Deniz Undav. This was followed by a hard-fought 3-2 win against Eintracht Frankfurt, where Nikolas Nartey scored a late winner. Currently sitting fourth in the league, the team is keen to maintain its position and avoid a repeat of last season’s decline that saw them fall out of European contention.
In terms of team news, Stuttgart is expecting the return of players Luca Jaquez and Dan-Axel Zagadou in the coming weeks, while Tiago Tomas remains sidelined until next month. Bilal El Khannouss is currently with the Moroccan national team, participating in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal this weekend.
Stuttgart is likely to field a 4-2-3-1 formation featuring goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, with Assignon, Jeltsch, Chabot, and Mittelstädt forming the backline, while Karazor and Stiller will provide midfield support. The attacking trio will include Leweling, Nartey, and Führich, with Undav leading the line.
Union Berlin, on the other hand, has started the new year with two consecutive draws against Mainz and Augsburg. Their performance against Mainz was particularly memorable due to late goals from Woo-Yeong Jeong and Marin Ljubicic, showcasing their fighting spirit. Currently in ninth place, Union is aiming for a stronger finish and a potential shot at European football.
The team’s attacking output has improved significantly compared to the previous season, now just 12 goals shy of matching last season’s total of 35. If they can continue to perform at their expected level, there is optimism for a more comfortable finish in the league.
However, Union will face challenges as Tom Rothe, Robert Skov, and Tim Skarke are considered doubtful for the match, alongside Derrek Köhn, who is suspended. The anticipated formation for Union is a 3-1-4-2 setup, featuring goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow and a defense that includes Doekhi, Querfeld, and Leite, along with Khedira anchoring the midfield.
As both teams vie for critical points, Stuttgart will be keen to strike back and claim victory on home turf, while Union Berlin will be looking to build momentum and secure their place in the top half of the table.