Match Day 33
Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim
Saturday, May 5th, 2018
22:30pm (GMT+8 Timing)
Stadium: Mercedes - Benz Arena
Stuttgart:
Last five matches form: D L D W W
Average goals per match: 0.94
Average goals against per match: 1.09
Top Scorer: Mario Gomez (6)
Hoffenheim:
Last five matches form: W D W W W
Average goals per match: 1.97
Average goals against per match: 1.31
Top Scorer: Mark Uth (14)
A big one at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Match Day 33 in the Bundesliga as eighth placed Stuttgart welcome fourth placed Hoffenheim to town.
These two are right towards the top of the tree in terms of second half of the season form. Both Stuttgart and Hoffenheim have lost just one of their last 12.
For Tayfun Korkut's Stuttgart side it is Europa League qualification which is the aim. Their recent hot-streak has now taken them to within two points of stuttering Leipzig who currently occupy sixth position.
Hoffenheim have loftier ambitions. Currently in fourth and therefore in the Champions League as it stands, they can't afford any slip-ups with Bayer Leverkusen breathing down their necks, just one point adrift in fifth spot.
With Carlos Mané and Andreas Beck the only absentees, Stuttgart should be close to full strength for this big game.
Hoffenheim aren't so fortunate, with key midfielders Karem Demirbay and Dennis Geiger both injured. With right winger Pavel Kaderábek suspended, Julian Nagelsmann will again be forced to improvise in the middle of the park.
Stuttgart are a far from prolific side, but they do know how to grind out a win and have conceded a Bundesliga low of only nine goals at home this season. Hard to break down at the best of times, Hoffenheim may find it that bit tougher given their injury woes. Take the home side for a narrow but important win.
Prediction: Stuttgart 1 - 0 Hoffenheim