Stuttgart vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach preview: Can die Schwaben extend their unbeaten run?
Relegation-threatened Stuttgart will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to five matches when they play host to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday.
Stuttgart
Sebastian Hoeneß is yet to lose as Stuttgart boss with his first four competitive games producing two wins and two draws. After beating Nürnberg and Bochum in the DFB-Pokal and the league respectively, Stuttgart fought back to draw 3-3 with Borussia Dortmund despite being a man-light. They salvaged another point against Augsburg last weekend when Wataru Endo equalised in the 78th minute to cancel out Drena Beljo’s opener.
Despite improving under the new manager, Stuttgart are currently languishing in the relegation playoff spot. While they are two points adrift of safety, they are only one point clear of the bottom two.
Stuttgart may be looking forward to Wednesday’s DFB-Pokal semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt, but Hoeneß will be reminding his side to remain focused on Saturday’s encounter.
Stuttgart have fared well in recent top-flight meetings with Gladbach at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, winning three and drawing one of their previous four home league games against Saturday’s opponents.
Team News
Hiroki Ito will serve a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend.
Gladbach
Gladbach’s four-game unbeaten run (W1, D3) was ended by Union Berlin last weekend. A second-half effort from Sheraldo Becker condemned Daniel Farke’s side to a narrow 1-0 home defeat.
With five games left to play, Gladbach are on course to match last season’s 10th-place finish. Although die Fohlen may not have too much to play for, Farke will want to see his side finish the season with a positive run of results.
Having won just one of their last eight matches, Gladbach’s next two fixtures against relegation-threatened Stuttgart and Bochum could present them with the opportunity to pick up a couple of victories.
However, collecting all three points on Saturday may be easier said than done, as Gladbach has won only one of their 14 away league matches this season.
Team News
The visitors will be without the services of Manu Koné, Ramy Bensebaini, Marcus Thuram and Yvandro Borges Sanches due to injury issues.