Bundesliga | Gameweek 18

Jan 18, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

Mercedes-Benz-Arena

Stuttgart vs Freiburg

Match preview

Stuttgart managed to overturn a one-goal deficit against Leipzig thanks to an impressive second-half showing in which they created four big chances, produced nearly two xG and limited Die Roten Bullen to just one shot.

Head coach Sebastian Hoeness will be keen to avenge the 3-1 defeat his side suffered in the reverse fixture on 24 August, although he may feel his side should have done better to hold on to a second-minute lead on that occasion.

The hosts have struggled to keep a clean sheet in recent weeks, having kept their opponents off the scoresheet just once in their last six games, conceding six goals in the process.

However, it should be noted that Die Roten have won five of their last six outings, losing just once and scoring twice as many goals as they have conceded.

Stuttgart have also won each of their last three away games and have only lost one of their last seven away from home.

As for Freiburg, they took the lead against Eintracht Frankfurt in the 37th minute and were level at half-time, but managed just one shot on target in the second half.

The visitors have been unlucky at the back this season, conceding 30 Bundesliga goals despite only allowing 22.6 goals per game, the fifth-best mark in the division.

Although coach Julian Schuster will be concerned that his side have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last eight games, he will be pleased to know that they have found the back of the net in each of their last seven matches, with eight goals scored in their last four outings.

The Breisgau-Brazilians have been in mixed form, winning two and losing two of their last four matches, although it should be noted that the two defeats came against third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt and second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.

However, Schuster's side have a poor away record, having gone seven games without a win and losing five of them.

Recent Performance

Stuttgart Bundesliga form:DWWLWW

Stuttgart form (all competitions):WWWLWW

Freiburg Bundesliga form:WDWLWL

Freiburg form (all competitions):LDWLWL

Team News

Centre-back Julian Chabot was partnered by Ameen Al-Dakhil last time out in Stuttgart, but the latter was replaced by first-choice Anthony Rouault with half an hour remaining, and Rouault could start on Saturday.

Defenders Maximilian Mittelstaedt and Dan-Axel Zagadou, as well as strikers El Bilal Toure and Justin Diehl, will be left out of the squad, with Jacob Bruun Larsen and Chris Fuhrich expected to flank strikers Denis Undav and Ermedin Demirovic.

In midfield, Angelo Stiller is certain to start and could be joined by Atakan Karazor with Luca Raimund injured.

Freiburg, on the other hand, have an almost full-strength squad, although midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh is not expected back until mid-February and centre-back Philipp Lienhart is doubtful through illness.

Eren Dinkci could start in an advanced midfield position ahead of a double pivot of Maximilian Eggestein and Merlin Rohl.

Centre-back Matthias Ginter is likely to start alongside Maximilian Rosenfelder, and the pair could be flanked by full-backs Lukas Kubler and Christian Gunter.

Possible starting lineup

Stuttgart possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Vagnoman, Rouault, Chabot, Hendriks; Larsen, Karazor, Stiller, Fuhrich; Undav, Demirovic

Freiburg possible starting lineup:

Atubolu; Kubler, Ginter, Rosenfelder, Gunter; Eggestein, Rohl; Doan, Dinkci, Grifo; Gregoritsch