Stuttgart vs. Borussia Dortmund preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Here is our preview of Wednesday's DFB-Pokal round of 16 clash between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund, including predicted lineups.
| Gregor Kobel. | Photo: Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA 4.0 |
After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Stuttgart have enjoyed a sensational start to the current campaign, with Sebastian Hoeness' side sitting third in the Bundesliga.
The Swabians have won three in a row - including a 2-1 league win over Wednesday's opponents, Dortmund - and qualified for the last 16 of the cup with a 1-0 win over Union Berlin.
Most recently, Dortmund played out a 1-1 draw with Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen in a match that saw the Black and Yellows defend an early lead for the majority of the game.
Prior to that, Edin Terzic's side secured their place in the Champions League group stage with a convincing 3-1 win over AC Milan.
Stuttgart will be without Egloff, Ito and Nartey on Wednesday. Duranville and Nmecha will definitely be missing for Dortmund, who hope to have Özcan, Süle and Bensebaini back from illness. Nico Schlotterbeck is expected to play despite picking up a knock against Leverkusen.
Click here to see our predicted Stuttgart vs. Dortmund lineups.