VfB Stuttgart vs. Union Berlin: probable teams, match stats and LIVE blog!

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"[We've] shown in the past that we are able to bounce back; that's part of our DNA," Stuttgart coach Pellegrino Matarazzo said after last week's injury-time defeat against Wolfsburg. That reverse - VfB's third of the season - means that Sunday's hosts are still seeking a first top-flight victory of the campaign. The Swabians will be strengthened by the return of Borna Sosa for the visit of high-flying Union, a team that Stuttgart have never beaten in the Bundesliga after four attempts. The Croatia international missed the Matchday 8 loss at the Volkswagen Arena with a cold. Meanwhile, the recently signed Zagadou could be in line for a first start of the season in defence after the French defender enjoyed his first minutes in a Stuttgart shirt last weekend. Wataru Endo and Hiroki Ito are both expected to shake off respective knocks to feature.

Union coach Urs Fischer praised his team's "character and the mentality" after the Berliner's picked up a maiden win of their UEFA Europa League campaign on Thursday, despite playing the entire second half against opponents Malmo with ten men following Andras Schafer's sending off. That victory - secured by Becker's seventh goal in 12 games in all competitions - was the perfect response to the side's previous setback against Eintracht Frankfurt, a 2-0 loss that represented Union's first defeat of what has been a remarkable Bundesliga campaign to date. With Becker and USMNT international Jordan flying up front, the Irons led the standings going into Matchday 9 and they will be keen to chalk up a sixth Bundesliga victory at the home of Stuttgart this weekend.

Match stats

Zagadou made 68 Bundesliga appearances for Borussia Dortmund.

Stuttgart have never before gone eight Bundesliga matchdays without a win at the start of a season.

VfB have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 25 Bundesliga home games. Rot-Weiss Essen hold the all-time record here, going 26 home games without a clean sheet between 1970 and '74.

Becker has had a direct hand in a league-leading nine Bundesliga goals in 2022/23 (six of his own, plus three assists).

Union's first-ever promotion to the German top flight at the end of 2018/19 was achieved with a two-legged relegation play-off, away-goals win against Stuttgart.

Union's Rani Khedira was on Stuttgart's books between 2005 and 2014.

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Probable teams

Stuttgart: Müller - Mavropanos, Anton, Ito - Führich, Endo (c), Karazor, Ahamada, Sosa - Guirassy, Silas

Out: Vagnoman (foot)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Pellegrino Matarazzo

Union: Ronnow - Jaeckel, Knoche, Leite - Ryerson, Thorsby, Khedira (c), Haberer, Gießelmann - Becker, Jordan

Out: Möhwald (unspecified)

Doubtful: Baumgartl (not included), Maciejewski (not included)

Coach: Urs Fischer

About the clubs 1. FC Union Berlin

An der Alten Försterei

VfB Stuttgart

Mercedes-Benz Arena

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