Matchday in focus: VfB Stuttgart | OneFootball

An in-depth look at VfB Stuttgart, who have scored the second-highest amount of goals this season, deliver more crosses and more accurately than anyone else, and are the most effective side in contesting duels.

Tactics 

Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß, who has been in charge of Stuttgart for three years, has varied his formation this term, switching between a 4-2-3-1 and a three-man backline, either as a 3-4-2-1 or a 3-4-1-2, depending on the opponent. He employed the latter in last week’s 3-1 home win against Bayer Leverkusen, underlining the team’s flexibility. 

The VfB tactician is anticipating a “tough game”, adding that “it’s always difficult to play in Frankfurt”. His side have won a league-high 54 percent of all their duels this season.

Alexander Nübel is the number one in goal, while defensive rock Jeff Chabot also forms part of the team’s spine, alongside Ramon Hendriks, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Chris Führich, Angelo Stiller and strikers Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirovic.

Currently fourth in the standings, Stuttgart’s reputation as an attack-minded team is highlighted by the fact they have the second-best scoring record in the Bundesliga in 2025/26 with 69 goals, only behind Bayern Munich. Sixty-one of those have come from open play. 

Furthermore, Bayern aside, the Undav and Demirovic strike partnership is the most dangerous in the division with a combined 31 goals this term. “We’ll prepare well, look to nullify their strengths with the right defensive approach and pose problems for them ourselves,” said Hoeneß ahead of the final Bundesliga matchday of the season. 

Eintracht will need to be wary of Stuttgart’s threat from out wide, as no other Bundesliga club has delivered more crosses, or done so more accurately, than VfB in 2025/26. Jamie Leweling is particularly dangerous in this regard: six of his crosses have led to goals.  Absentees

Eintracht must make do without Nnamdi Collins and Oscar Højlund.

VfB captain Atakan Karazor, who is suspended following a red card, is the only player missing for Stuttgart. One to watch: Deniz Undav 

Undav registered his 19th league goal of the season in last week’s 3-1 success against Leverkusen, a tally made all the more impressive given that none of them were penalties. 

The 29-year-old has also found the net three times each in the DFB Cup and UEFA Europa League this term, while he has contributed 13 assists in all competitions, including five in the Bundesliga. Undav has missed eight competitive games in 2025/26 due to injury. 

Furthermore Undav …

… struck 26 times to finish as the top scorer in the Jupiler Pro League with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in 2021/22, en route to winning Belgium’s Player of the Year prize at the Pro League Awards. 

… has earned seven senior international caps for Germany, scoring four times. 

Facts and figures

Frankfurt have scored 178 goals against Stuttgart in the Bundesliga to date, while VfB have found the net 191 times against the Eagles. In fact, these teams have scored more times against each other than they have against any other top-flight side.

Stuttgart have picked up 20 points from losing positions this season, establishing a new club record in the three-points-for-a-win era.