Preview: Stuttgart vs. Eintracht Frankfurt - prediction, team news, lineups

Frankfurt, meanwhile, are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Wolfsburg.

Match preview

Despite failing to win in the Bundesliga so far this season, Stuttgart have remarkably drawn five of their six matches so far, with their impressive 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich last weekend extending their run of draws to three successive games.

Pellegrino Matarazzo's side had gone down to 10 men in each of their previous two games, so keeping all players on the pitch against such a dangerous opponent was absolutely crucial if they were to come away from the Allianz Arena unscathed.

Mathys Tel's strike had given Bayern a half-time lead despite the hosts making several changes to their starting XI ahead of a tricky test against Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek, with Stuttgart pouncing on this factor after the break.

Chris Fuhrich levelled the proceedings shortly before the hour mark, but Jamal Musiala quickly restored Bayern's lead with a delightful jink to the left before blasting the ball beyond the reach of Florian Muller.

However, despite having two goals disallowed, Stuttgart were not to be denied a point, with Serhou Guirassy scoring his first goal for the club after Matthijs De Ligt's clumsy challenge provided the visitors with an opportunity from the penalty spot.

Having seen the Wolves gain their first victory of the season at Frankfurt's expense last weekend, Matarazzo will be hoping his side can turn their recent draws into three points on Saturday.

Indeed, Frankfurt appear to be finding juggling the Bundesliga and Champions League football for the first time in their history difficult at present, having been somewhat inconsistent during the early weeks of the season.

Their 4-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig was followed up by a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to Sporting Lisbon in their maiden match in Europe's elite competition, while the results were flipped in the past week as they lost at home to their head coach Oliver Glasner's former club Wolfsburg, before impressively beating Marseille 1-0 at Stade Velodrome on Tuesday.

After failing to register a single shot on target during their dismal defeat to previously winless Wolfsburg, who are managed by former Frankfurt boss Niko Kovac, Die Adler were much improved in France, testing the opposition goalkeeper Pau Lopez on seven occasions as Jesper Lindstrom's strike just before half-time proved crucial in the end.

There is nothing for head coach Glasner to be particularly alarmed about given that his side have taken eight points from six league matches while retaining a decent chance of progressing into the knockout stages in Europe, but there is little doubt that a win away to Stuttgart on Saturday would settle everyone down heading into the international break.

Stuttgart Bundesliga form:

Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga form:

Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):

Team News

Stuttgart will remain without Luca Pfeiffer, who is suspended for one more game after his nasty tackle in Die Schwaben's draw against FC Koln.

Tanguy Coulibaly and Nicolas Nartey are close to returning from injury, but neither are likely to be risked in the final game before the international break.

Matarazzo may reward Fuhrich's goal against Bayern with a start for the midfielder at the expense of Tiago Tomas, with Silas potentially moved higher up the field after he slotted in at wing-back against Bayern. Josha Vagnoman should reclaim that role as he is available again having served his one-match suspension.

Frankfurt, meanwhile, will travel without the injured quartet of Buta, Christopher Lenz, Jerome Onguene and Almamy Toure.

Glasner's lack of defensive options could be further compounded if Luca Pellegrini can not shake off the thigh injury that saw him miss his team's trip to Marseille in midweek.

As a result, the 48-year-old switched to a back three system, with Ansgar Knauff playing out of position at left wing-back and Kristijan Jakic pushing up on the opposite flank. A similar formation is expected to be utilised in Stuttgart on Saturday should Pellegrini miss out.

Stuttgart possible starting lineup:

Muller; Mavropanos, Anton, Ito; Vagnoman, Endo, Ahamada, Sosa; Fuhrich; Guirassy, Silas

Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:

Trapp; Tuta, Hasebe, Ndicka; Jakic, Sow, Kamada, Knauff; Lindstrom, Götze; Muani

We say: Stuttgart 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Although Stuttgart need to find a win sooner rather than later, we would not be surprised to see yet another share of the spoils for the hosts on Saturday.

Fatigue could be an issue for Frankfurt after a heavy schedule of football, but they have the talent to overcome that and would likely be content with a draw ahead of a well-earned break.

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