Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Despite having an injury-list longer than his arm, Dortmund coach Marco Rose has managed to keep his side within touching distance of Bayern Munich at the top of the table after 11 matchdays. Dortmund did drop points for the first time since Matchday 6 last time out, however, as RB Leipzig overpowered them 2-1 at the Red Bull Arena and the absence of goal-getting supremo Haaland is keenly felt - understandably so when you consider his nine goals and three assists from just six league games prior to injury. Donyell Malen led the line in Leipzig but the welcome return of Raphael Guerreiro at left wing-back may see Thorgan Hazard pushed into a central role ahead of Julian Brandt and captain Marco Reus.

Stuttgart have similar injury concerns and the shoulder problem that has kept Sasa Kalajdzic out of action since Matchday 2 also deprives them of their top-scorer last term. In his stead, centre-back duo Marc-Oliver Kempf and Mavropanos top the charts with three goals apiece, but the team have struggled to find the back of the net without Kalajdzic - as shown in the 1-0 loss at home to Arminia Bielefeld last time out which made it four games without a victory for Pellegrino Matarazzo's team. Another defeat could see them slip to as low as second-bottom, so Stuttgart will be hoping that Daniel Didavi and Hamadi Al Ghaddioui can start firing in attack to address those concerns going forward, with Omar Marmoush having just returned to training after an ankle problem.

Match stats

After Haaland (nine), Reus and Guerreiro (both three) are Dortmund's next best for Bundesliga goals. They are two of 10 different scorers at the club so far this term.

Dortmund have suffered two of their three 2021/22 Bundesliga defeats in matches without Haaland.

BVB have won their first six home Bundesliga matches under Rose. Seven to start a season would be a new club record.

Defenders Kempf and Mavropanos have accounted for six of Stuttgart's 15 Bundesliga goals in 2021/22.

Stuttgart haven't won away in the Bundesliga since beating Rose's Gladbach on the penultimate weekend of last season.

Collectively, Die Schwaben are the league's best for challenges won (54.9 percent).

Probable line-ups

Dortmund: Kobel - Akanji, Hummels, Pongracic - Meunier, Witsel, Bellingham, Guerreiro - Brandt, Reus (c) - Hazard

Out: Haaland (hip), Morey (knee), Reyna (thigh), Schmelzer (knee)

Doubtful: Dahoud (knee), Schulz (muscular), Wolf (thigh), Zagadou (muscular)

Coach: Marco Rose

Stuttgart: Müller - Mavropanos, Anton, Kempf - Karazor - Massimo, Mangala, Endo (c), Sosa - Didavi, Al Ghaddioui

Out: Kalajdzic (shoulder), Millot (knee)

Doubtful: Ahamada (Achilles), Führich (ankle), Thommy (match fitness)

Coach: Pellegrino Matarazzo