On Thursday night, Stuttgart and Hamburg go head-to-head at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in the first leg of the Bundesliga promotion/relegation play-off.
The home team are unbeaten in the Bundesliga the three games but has won just one of their last five matches in all competitions. A 1-1 home draw against Hoffenheim in their previous league game of the season meant that Die Roten finished in the play-off spot.
Sebastian #Hoeneß: "We're all in this together - the club, the city and the team. If we all stick together, we can do this." 🤍❤️#VfB pic.twitter.com/KfVyaguDQo— VfB Stuttgart_int (@VfB_int) May 28, 2023
Sebastian #Hoeneß: "We're all in this together - the club, the city and the team. If we all stick together, we can do this." 🤍❤️#VfB pic.twitter.com/KfVyaguDQo
Their last game in the Bundesliga saw both teams score for Stuttgart’s eighth straight league match.
The home team’s poor defensive displays played a big part in Stuttgart finishing in 16th place, as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 13 Bundesliga matches.
Sebastian Hoeness’ team are unbeaten in four home matches in the German top flight. On the flip side, Stuttgart have claimed just one home win in their last six outings in the Bundesliga.
The visitors suffered the anguish of failing to win promotion on the last day of the season, with two late Heidenheim goals consigning Hamburg to the play-off rather than automatic promotion.
Die Rothosen finished just a point behind league winners Heidenheim and second-place Darmstadt.
Tim Walter’s team finished their league season with a four-game unbeaten run, having recorded three straight victories.
Hamburg’s recent matches in the German second tier have certainly offered good entertainment value, as seven of their last nine games have produced over 2.5 goals.
The visitors have recorded back-to-back away wins, but the victories are Hamburg’s only away victories in their last eight outings. They have been relatively prolific on their travels lately, scoring at least two goals in six of their previous nine away games.
Forebet predicts that Stuttgart will record a victory in a high-scoring game to gain the upper hand in the fight for a place in the Bundesliga next season.