Stuttgart Aims for 10th Victory: Bundesliga Showdown with Werder Bremen
Knowfootball.ng provides a comprehensive preview of the upcoming Bundesliga clash between VfB Stuttgart and Werder Bremen on 02/12/23. The article covers predictions, team news, and potential lineups for this exciting encounter.
High Stakes for Stuttgart
Impressive Form
VfB Stuttgart enters the match with an impressive record, eyeing their 10th league win in 13 matches. Sebastian Hoeness, the team’s coach, has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, guiding Stuttgart from the brink of relegation to a position where they now contemplate European competition.
Recent Triumphs
Stuttgart’s recent 2-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt showcased their resilience and attacking prowess. Deniz Undav’s standout performance, including goals in the first and last minutes of the first half, contributed to their success. This win, combined with RB Leipzig’s defeat, opened up a four-point gap within the Champions League positions.
Dreaming of Europe
While European competition might seem premature, Stuttgart’s fans are daring to dream once again. The upcoming clash against Werder Bremen serves as a crucial stepping stone, with a DFB-Pokal last-16 stage against Borussia Dortmund on the horizon.
Werder Bremen’s Struggles
Seeking Safety
Werder Bremen, in contrast, faces a challenging season focused on securing safety. After a promising return to the Bundesliga, their form has dipped. The recent 3-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen highlighted their struggles, leaving them with just one win in the last seven games.
Offensive Woes
Despite possessing home advantage in their last game, Werder Bremen’s offensive output was surprisingly low, managing only two shots against Bayer Leverkusen. Ole Werner, the team’s manager, recognizes the importance of addressing their offensive woes, especially against high-flying opponents like Stuttgart.
Defensive Concerns
With seven defeats in 12 matches, Werner acknowledges defensive concerns. Falling further down the table could be a real threat if Werder Bremen doesn’t find a solution against formidable opponents.
Team News
Stuttgart’s Squad Depth
Stuttgart’s recent victory against Frankfurt showcased their squad depth, with star attackers Serhou Guirassy and Silas Katompa Mvumpa making second-half appearances. Hoeness remains cautious with Guirassy due to a recent hamstring injury, but he may feature prominently against Werder Bremen.
Nikolas Nartey is sidelined with a knee injury, but otherwise, Hoeness enjoys a fully-fit squad.
Werder Bremen’s Challenges
Werder Bremen faces injury concerns with Nicolai Rapp and Leon Opitz unavailable. However, the potential return of Naby Keita could boost their midfield. The team might witness changes, with players like Jiri Pavlenka, Felix Agu, Niklas Stark, Senne Lynen, and Christian Gross aiming for starting positions.
Possible Starting Lineups
- Stuttgart: Nubel; Anton, Zagadou, Ito, Mittelstadt; Millot, Stiller, Karazor, Fuhrich; Guirassy, Undav
- Werder Bremen: Pavlenka; Veljkovic, Friedl, Jung; Weiser, Schmid, Stage, Bittencourt, Agu; Borre, Ducksch
Match Prediction
Stuttgart 2-1 Werder Bremen
While Werder Bremen faced a humbling defeat last weekend, their challenge doesn’t get easier against in-form Stuttgart. With Stuttgart aiming for their 10th victory, the match promises entertainment, considering both teams’ offensive strengths.