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

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Mainz may be winless in three, but all those were away from home. They are a very different proposition at the Mewa Arena, where they have conceded only eight times in 14 games - four fewer than any other club in the Bundesliga. Their most recent home game produced a comprehensive 4-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld, including three penalties. Freshly minted Germany international Anton Stach missed that game through suspension as the country's U21 captain Jonathan Burkardt bagged a brace. He was on target again last weekend as the 05ers took a 2-0 lead away at Cologne, but a second-half comeback from the hosts left them with nothing. Coach Bo Svensson isn't one to make unnecessary changes but will have to replace Aaron Martin at left wing-back due to suspension. Anderson Lucoqui is the like-for-like switch. Alexander Hack and Jae-sung Lee have also picked up injuries and are out.

Kalajdzic and Sosa have been unable to play together for the last two games, during which time Stuttgart have managed just a point. They extended their unbeaten run to four games in the 1-1 draw at Bielefeld without Sosa, but were defeated 2-0 at home by Borussia Dortmund last week in Kalajdzic's absence. Three of Kalajdzic's four goals in his last six appearances have been assisted by Sosa, so coach Pellegrino Matarazzo will be desperate to have them back. However, the American will have to make changes in midfield, with Atakan Karazor suspended and captain Wataru Endo in isolation. March's Rookie of the Month, Omar Marmoush, provides further options up front as Stuttgart look to maintain - if not extend - their one-point gap over Bielefeld in the play-off spot and Hertha Berlin in the automatic relegation zone.

Match stats

Burkardt is onto 10 Bundesliga goals for the season. The only other German in double figures is Serge Gnabry (11).

Mainz have won six of their last seven home games and boast the league's meanest home defence with only eight goals conceded.

The 05ers' 30 points at the Mewa Arena is three more than Stuttgart have all season (home or away).

Kalajdzic is tied with Konstantinos Mavropanos as Stuttgart's four-goal top scorer, but the Austrian has got all his in his last six games.

Three of Kalajdzic's goals have been assisted by Sosa. The fourth was a penalty.

Stuttgart are winless in seven away outings (D3, L4). Their only victory on the road this season was at Wolfsburg on Matchday 15.

Probable line-ups

Mainz: Zentner - Nemeth, Bell, Niakhate (c) - Widmer, Stach, Kohr, Lucoqui - Boetius - Burkardt, Onisiwo

Out: Burgzorg (heart), Hack (ankle), Lee (knee), Martin (suspended), St. Juste (shoulder)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Bo Svensson

Stuttgart: Müller - Stenzel, Mavropanos, Ito, Sosa - Mangala, Anton (c), Führich - Tomas, Kalajdzic, Marmoush

Out: Ahamada (broken toe), Didavi (Achilles), Endo (not included), Karazor (suspended), Nartey (knee), Sankoh (knee), Silas (shoulder)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Pellegrino Matarazzo

About the clubs 1. FSV Mainz 05

MEWA ARENA

VfB Stuttgart

Mercedes-Benz Arena

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