Borussia Monchengladbach are set to host last season's Bundesliga runners-up Stuttgart at Borussia-Park on Saturday in each side's third game of the league season. The home side are currently seventh with three points and beat Bochum 2-0 last time out in the league on August 31, while the visitors are 14th with just one point and drew 3-3 with Mainz on the same date.
Borussia Monchengladbach Preview
Though the hosts conceded 15 shots in their win against Bochum, many of the efforts they faced were from difficult angles and were defended quite well. Borussia Monchengladbach were far more threatening than their opponents at the other end of the pitch and created nearly 3 xG, more than quadruple the figure Bochum produced.
Die Fohlen lost 3-2 against champions Bayer Leverkusen in their first game of the league season on August 23, but will be disappointed considering they managed to come back from 2-0 down when Tim Kleindienst scored an equaliser in the 85th minute before Florian Wirtz scored the winner in the 101st minute. Boss Gerardo Seoane's side have only won once in their last eight top-flight games, and have lost eight, drawn eight and won just three of their last 19 Bundesliga fixtures.
Seoane will also be concerned that his team have failed to win any of their last six league games at Borussia-Park, with their last victory coming on February 24 against Bochum.
Stuttgart Preview
As for the visitors, they come into the clash having started their Bundesliga campaign poorly, opening with a 3-1 loss against Freiburg in their first match on August 24. Stuttgart's draw against Mainz was particularly disappointing given they were leading 2-0 and 3-2 at different stages of the match, but only took a point after Maxim Leitsch scored a 90th-minute equaliser to level the score at 3-3.
Manager Sebastian Hoeness's side also lost the German Super Cup final on penalties against Bayer Leverkusen on August 17, a match in which they led 2-1 against 10-man Leverkusen from the 63rd minute until Patrick Schick scored an 88th minute equaliser. Of the 18 clubs in the division, Hoeness's team have conceded the fourth most xG, missed the second most big chances and averaged the second highest possession figure of any side.
The visitors' won their final three Bundesliga matches of the 2023-24 campaign, and have won 12 of their last 18 top-flight fixtures. Stuttgart have won just one of their last four away games in the league, drawing one and losing two, though they did win the prior five games on the road in the Bundesliga.
Team News
The hosts will be without midfielder Yvandro Borges Sanches and goalkeeper Jan Olschowsky due to knee injuries. Borussia Monchengladbach could name Franck Honorat, Kevin Stoger and Alassane Plea in attacking roles behind striker Tim Kleindienst.
As for the visitors, they will have to cope with the absence of Nikolas Nartey, Luca Raimund and Leonidas Stergiou. Stuttgart also have doubts about the availability of Ameen Al-Dakhil, Anthony Rouault and Dan-Axel Zagadou.
Possible Lineups
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup: Omlin; Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Netz; Sander, Weigl; Honorat, Stoger, Plea; Kleindienst
Stuttgart possible starting lineup: Nubel; Vagnoman, Chase, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Millot, Karazor, Stiller, Fuhrich; Undav, Demirovic
Prediction
Borussia Monchengladbach have been poor in recent matches at home, and it would not be surprising if the visitors managed to create several chances. However, Stuttgart have struggled in the opening to the 2024-25 Bundesliga season, and it is difficult to see them keeping a clean sheet. For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
