VfB Stuttgart vs. TSG Hoffenheim preview: Huge Schwaben-Baden clash before winter break | OneFootball

Stuttgart

Stuttgart head into the weekend sitting sixth in the Bundesliga table with 25 points, just one behind their visitors and a single point adrift of fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen. 

Sebastian Hoeneß’s side arrive in strong spirits after a dominant 4-0 victory over Werder Bremen last weekend, a result that extended their scoring run to eight goals across their last two matches.

While Stuttgart have impressed going forward, defensive fragility has occasionally crept in. 

Die Schwaben have conceded at least twice in four of their previous eight outings, although three clean sheets in that same spell underline their ability to shut teams out on their day.

Saturday’s contest could prove pivotal in the race for Europe, especially with Leverkusen facing RB Leipzig this weekend. 

A victory would hand Stuttgart a third straight win in all competitions and further reinforce their formidable home record - they have won eight of their last nine matches at the MHPArena, suffering just one defeat in that period against league leaders Bayern Munich.

Team news

Stuttgart will be without Ermedin Demirovic due to a foot injury, while Bilal El Khannouss is unavailable after linking up with Morocco on international duty. Deniz Undav is expected to lead the line after registering nine goals and three assists in his last nine appearances.

With Luca Jaquez sidelined by a hamstring problem, Finn Jeltsch, Jeff Chabot and Ramon Hendriks are likely to form the back three.

Predicted lineup - 3-4-2-1: Nübel - Jeltsch, Chabot, Hendriks - Vagnoman, Karazor, Stiller, Mittelstädt - Nartey, Leweling - Undav

Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim travel to Stuttgart in fifth place after collecting 26 points from their opening fixtures, keeping them firmly in the mix for a top-four finish. Christian Ilzer’s side were in devastating form last weekend, brushing aside Hamburg 4-1 to record their sixth win in eight league matches.

Goals have flowed freely for Die Kraichgauer, who have scored at least three times in six of their last nine outings. 

Defensive consistency, however, remains an issue - Hoffenheim have managed just two clean sheets in their previous 16 matches, although one of those has come in their last four games.

Recent meetings between these sides suggest a tight affair. The two Bundesliga clashes in 2024-25 both ended in 1-1 draws, while each team has claimed just one win in their last six head-to-head encounters. Hoffenheim’s away form has been solid overall, with only two defeats on the road this season, though they have failed to win four of their last six away fixtures.

Team NewsHoffenheim will be without defender Koki Machida due to a knee injury, while Bazoumana Toure is away on international duty with Côte d'Ivoire at the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Predicted lineup - 4-1-2-1-2: Baumann - Coufal, Hranac, Hajdari, Bernardo - Avdullahu - Prömel, Burger - Kramaric - Asllani, Lemperle