Preview: Stuttgart vs. Schalke 04 - prediction, team news, lineups

Neither side have managed to record a win in their respective opening four games of the league season, so they will both be aiming to end that unwanted run at the weekend.

Match preview

Stuttgart's goalless draw away to FC Koln was their third share of the spoils in four outings so far this season, so Pellegrini Matarazzo will hardly be pushing the panic button just yet.

His side only avoided the relegation play-off by goal difference last season, and having sold star striker Sasa Kalajdzic to Wolverhampton Wanderers for £15m earlier this week, the 44-year-old cannot be expected to work miracles on a small budget.

Die Schwaben were unfortunate not to get themselves ahead in Cologne, too, having dominated the first half before Luca Pfeiffer - the man signed as Kalajdzic's replacement - was sent off for a wild tackle in the 56th minute, dampening his team's chances of earning an away victory in the process.

Silas had been guilty of repeated profiligacy in front of goal throughout the first half, firing too close to Marvin Schwabe on two occasions having been played clean through on goal.

Matarazzo will be hoping the 2020-21 Bundesliga Young Player of the Year can help fill the goalscoring void left by Kalajdzic's departure, with his side requiring a victory against Schalke on Saturday to get their season truly up and running before they visit Bayern Munich in their next match.

Likewise, having only returned to the Bundesliga this season after gaining promotion at the first attempt, two points from four games does not represent an awful return for Schalke.

However, the manner of their 6-1 defeat at home to Union Berlin last time out will have hugely concerned Frank Kramer, with some hapless defending at times making it easy for Sheraldo Becker and Jordan Siebatcheu to run riot in behind their defence.

Marius Bulter did score his third goal of the season from the penalty spot to level the proceedings just after the half-hour mark, but the hosts never looked likely to mount a comeback after Janik Haberer's thunderbolt from distance gave Union Berlin a two-goal lead heading into the half-time interval.

Kramer will be demanding a response ahead of his side's trip to Stuttgart on Saturday, as they aim to move outside of the relegation places with a positive result.

Stuttgart Bundesliga form:

Stuttgart form (all competitions):

Schalke 04 Bundesliga form:

Schalke 04 form (all competitions):

Team News

Without Pfeiffer for three matches after the former FC Midtjylland striker's straight red card earned himself a lengthy suspension, Matarazzo could deploy Silas and Tiago Tomas as two withdrawn strikers.

Nicolas Nartey remains out with a torn muscle, but Tanguy Coulibaly could return to the squad as he nears full fitness following a toe injury.

Schalke, meanwhile, appear to have a fully fit squad available to choose from, although Amine Harit remains persona non grata.

After last weekend's thrashing at the hands of Union Berlin, Malick Thiaw could be replaced by Marcin Kaminski at the heart of the defence, but Simon Terrode may be afforded more patience in attack despite his continued struggles at the top level of German football.

Stuttgart possible starting lineup:

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

Schalke 04 possible starting lineup:

Schwolow; Brunner, Yoshida, Kaminski, Ouwejan; Krauß, Kral, Zalazar; Drexler, Terodde, Bulter

We say: Stuttgart 2-0 Schalke 04

We expect Stuttgart to end their winless run against Schalke, who could be shell-shocked after their massive defeat at home to Union Berlin last time out.

The hosts have been unfortunate in a few of their games this season, with Silas likely to be more ruthless in front of goal having missed several chances against Koln.

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