This Friday, the Mercedes-Benz Arena sets the stage for a Bundesliga showdown as high-flying Stuttgart, currently in an impressive 3rd place, prepares to host 16th-placed Köln, a team struggling to find its footing in the league.
Stuttgart's season has been a revelation, with the team closely trailing Bayern Munich and showcasing formidable form. Their recent victory over Darmstadt by a 1-2 margin underscored their dominance and control, further highlighted by Serhou Guirassy's standout performance, bringing his season tally to an impressive 24 goals.
Alongside Guirassy, Deniz Undav has also been pivotal to Stuttgart's attacking prowess, contributing 16 goals and helping the team become the third-highest scoring squad in the Bundesliga.
Conversely, Köln's season has been marred by inconsistency. Despite avoiding a three-game losing streak, their recent home defeat to Werder Bremen has left them languishing near the relegation zone, with prospects of improvement dwindling.
The team's offensive struggles are evident, having netted only 15 goals throughout the season, marking them as the division's lowest-scoring team.
Stuttgart boasts an unbeaten streak in their last eight home matches across all competitions, demonstrating their strength and resilience at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Köln, on the other hand, has been defensively vulnerable on the road, conceding an average of 1.85 goals in their away matches, a statistic they'll be keen to improve upon.
Stuttgart has had the upper hand in recent head-to-head matchups, remaining unbeaten in their last four encounters with Köln, signaling a psychological advantage as they head into this crucial match.
Stuttgart faces several absences, with key players like Samuele Di Benedetto, Deniz Undav, Nikolas Nartey, and Alexander Nübel sidelined due to injuries, and Pascal Stenzel serving a suspension.
Köln's attacking options are similarly constrained, with Davie Selke, Luca Waldschmidt, and Mark Uth unavailable for selection, and Faride Alidou also injured, complicating their efforts to address their scoring woes.
Forebet's analysis predicts a significant victory for Stuttgart, anticipating over 2.5 goals scored in the match.
This fixture not only presents Stuttgart with an opportunity to solidify their standing but also puts pressure on Köln to muster a response and fight for their Bundesliga survival.