Preview: Stuttgart vs. Hoffenheim - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side are currently 15th in the table, level on points with 16th-placed Bochum, while Hoffenheim sit 13th, three points ahead of the relegation playoff position.

Match preview

Stuttgart were relegated from the Bundesliga at the end of the 2018-19 campaign but managed to return to the top level at the first time of asking, and they have finished ninth and 15th in their two seasons back at this level.

The Reds are facing the prospect of dropping back down into the second tier, though, as they are only one point ahead of 17th-placed Schalke 04 and level on points with 16th-placed Bochum.

It is relatively simple for Die Schwaben, as a victory in this match would see them secure survival, with Bochum needing to make up 23 goals even if they manage to beat Bayer Leverkusen at home.

Stuttgart would also be safe with a point if Bochum and Schalke fail to win, while they could lose and still finish above the drop zone if Bochum lose to Leverkusen and Schalke fail to overcome RB Leipzig.

The home side will enter this match off the back of a 4-1 victory over Mainz last weekend, while they also picked up a welcome point against Leverkusen on May 14, which has left their destiny in their own hands heading into a fascinating final day of Bundesliga action, with a lot left to be decided.

Hoffenheim, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 4-2 success over Union Berlin, which made it two victories in their last three games in the Bundesliga.

Mathematically, the Blues can still finish 16th, as they sit just three points ahead of Bochum, but it is incredibly unlikely that the team will drop into the relegation playoff position.

A draw for Pellegrino Matarazzo's side would be enough to guarantee survival, but they could also lose and still be safe providing that Bochum fail to make up 26 goals on them, so their position for next season is relatively secure.

Hoffenheim have not played outside of Germany's top flight since the 2007-08 campaign, while they were actually fourth and third in the Bundesliga in 2016-17 and 2017-18 respectively.

Die Kraichgauer have found it difficult to show consistency this season, though, and they have also struggled on their travels, winning just three of their 16 games, suffering 10 defeats in the process.

Stuttgart Bundesliga form:

D

D

W

L

D

W

Stuttgart form (all competitions):

D

W

L

L

D

W

Hoffenheim Bundesliga form:

D

L

L

W

L

W

Team News

Stuttgart will be without the services of Dan-Axel Zagadou, Borna Sosa and Thomas Kastanaras for Saturday's contest, with the former picking up a head injury against Mainz last time out.

There are unlikely to be many changes from the side that took to the field for the first whistle of the 4-1 success, but Zagadou's absence will open the door for Konstantinos Mavropanos to start.

Serhou Guirassy is Stuttgart's leading goalscorer this season, netting 13 times in all competitions, and the 27-year-old will again feature in the final third of the field for the German side.

Hoffenheim, meanwhile, will be missing Kevin Akpoguma, Dennis Geiger, Robert Skov, Pavel Kaderabek, Kevin Vogt and Justin Che on Saturday through injury.

Akpoguma's absence is expected to open the door for Ermin Bicakcic to come into the back three, while Sebastian Rudy is set to replace Geiger in the middle of midfield.

Andrej Kramaric has been the team's main source of goals this season, finding the back of the net on 12 occasions in all competitions, and the 31-year-old will again feature in the final third of the field.

Stuttgart possible starting lineup:

Bredlow; Anton, Mavropanos, Ito; Vagnoman, Karazor, Endo, Nartey; Tomas, Guirassy, Katompa Mvumpa

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:

Baumann; Kabak, Brooks, Bicakcic; Becker, Promel, Rudy, Angelino; Kramaric, Baumgartner, Bebou

We say: Stuttgart 1-1 Hoffenheim

Stuttgart need to win more than Hoffenheim, but we are finding it difficult to separate the two teams here. A draw would make it very nervy for Stuttgart, but Hoffenheim were excellent against Union Berlin last time out, and we are struggling to back them to lose on Saturday afternoon.

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