Bundesliga | Gameweek 5

Sep 28, 2024 at 2.30pm UK

VOLKSWAGEN ARENA

Wolfsburg vs Stuttgart

Match preview

Wolfsburg have lost three of their four league matches this campaign, including a 4-3 loss last time out against Bayer Leverkusen on September 22.

Though the Wolves' defeat should not be seen as unexpected given they faced last season's Bundesliga champions, they will be bitterly disappointed with the result considering they were leading 3-2 at half time and only conceded the winning goal in the 93rd minute.

Boss Ralph Hasenhuttl commented after his side's loss that his team could not have done much better in the first half and praised their aggression, but said that Wolfsburg dropped deeper in the second half and came under enormous pressure.

Hasenhuttl has not started the season well with the hosts, but perhaps it would be unfair to be overly critical of his management when factoring in that the Wolves have already played the champions, giants Bayern Munich and 2021-22 Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt.

Wolfsburg have conceded nine goals in their five competitive matches of 2024-25 and have also scored on nine occasions.

Their home record is concerning, with the club having lost their last three league games at Volkswagen Arena, as well as having lost eight, drawn three and won just two of their last 13 matches at home.

Opponents Stuttgart come into Saturday's clash full of confidence after they earned their second win of the Bundesliga season when they beat Borussia Dortmund 5-1 on September 22.

In truth, it would not be flattering to suggest that the visitors were utterly commanding during their victory, generating well over three xG, producing eight big chances and limiting Dortmund to just over 0.5 xG.

Manager Sebastian Hoeness said in the aftermath of his side's win that his team are up for more of the same and will look to replicate their strong showing going forward.

While Hoeness will be pleased that his team performed so well, he will likely be more satisfied by the fact his team have seemingly turned a corner given they opened their 2024-25 league campaign with a 3-1 loss against Freiburg on August 24, and a 3-3 draw with Mainz 05 on August 31.

Stuttgart's two wins in the league means they have now won 14 of their last 20 Bundesliga matches, and they have lost just twice in that period.

However, the visitors' away form is mixed with the club having won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five Bundesliga fixtures on the road.

Recent Performance

Wolfsburg Bundesliga form:LWLL

Wolfsburg form (all competitions):WLWLL

Stuttgart Bundesliga form:LDWW

Stuttgart form (all competitions):LWDWLW

Injuries and suspensions

Wolfsburg

13Rogerio

21J. Maehle

14B. Bialek

19L. Majer

40K. Paredes

10L. Nmecha

31Y. Gerhardt

Stuttgart

28N. Nartey

23D. Zagadou

17J. Diehl

20L. Stergiou

Possible starting lineups

Wolfsburg(4-1-4-1)

1Grabara(GK)

2Fischer(DR)

3Bornauw(DC)

5Zesiger(DC)

16Kaminski(DL)

27Arnold(DMC)

20Baku(MR)

39Wimmer(MC)

32Svanberg(MC)

11Tomás(ML)

9Amoura(FW)

Stuttgart(4-4-2)

33Nübel(GK)

4Vagnoman(DR)

29Rouault(DC)

24Chabot(DC)

7Mittelstädt(DL)

8Millot(MR)

16Karazor(MC)

6Stiller(MC)

18Leweling(ML)

9Demirovic(FW)

26Undav(FW)