Stuttgart will face SV Darmstadt 98 in a highly anticipated Bundesliga showdown at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Friday night.
The home team aims to secure their third consecutive league victory, while the newly-promoted visitors are still in search of their first win this season.
Match Preview
Stuttgart has made an impressive start to the new Bundesliga campaign. With three wins in their first four games, they have scored a league-leading 14 goals.
In-form striker Serhou Guirassy has been outstanding, contributing eight of those goals, including a hat-trick in their last away win against Mainz 05.
Stuttgart’s spirits are high, and they have the opportunity to claim the top spot in the Bundesliga with a victory over Darmstadt.
This achievement would give them 12 points on the table, almost surpassing their total points from last season.
Despite selling key players over the summer, Stuttgart has shown resilience and performed well in their home matches at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, winning both games with impressive 5-0 scorelines against Bochum and Freiburg.
However, it’s worth noting that Darmstadt defeated Stuttgart 3-1 in their last home meeting in June 2020 when both teams were in the second tier of German football.
On the other hand, Darmstadt has had a slow start to life in the top flight after securing promotion from the second tier last season. They have only managed to collect one point from their first four matches.
Although they showed promise in their last game against Borussia Monchengladbach, leading 3-0 at halftime, the match ended in a 3-3 draw after a remarkable second-half comeback by Monchengladbach.
Darmstadt faces an uphill battle as they travel to Stuttgart, with only two wins in their last ten away games and no victories in their previous five away matches.
Stuttgart Bundesliga form: W L W W
Stuttgart form (all competitions): W W L W W
SV Darmstadt 98 Bundesliga form: L L L D
SV Darmstadt 98 form (all competitions): L L L L D
Team News:
Stuttgart will be missing Josha Vagnoman and Nikolas Nartey due to injury, while Thomas Kastanaras will be assessed ahead of kickoff. Woo-Yeong Jeong is still on international duty with South Korea.
Stuttgart’s starting lineup is expected to remain largely unchanged, with Hiroki Ito continuing at left-back alongside Waldemar Anton, Dan-Axel Zagadou, and Pascal Stenzel in defense.
Atakan Karazor, Angelo Stiller, and Enzo Millot will operate in midfield, providing support for Guirassy, who has been exceptional in front of goal.
Darmstadt will be without the suspended Fabio Torsiello and the injured Fraser Hornby, Christoph Zimmermann, Matthias Bader, Oscar Vilhelmsson, and Braydon Manu.
The absence of Maglica could lead to midfielder Klaus Gjasula playing in defense.
Marvin Mehlem, who has scored two of Darmstadt’s five Bundesliga goals this season, is expected to play alongside Fabian Holland and Tobias Kempe or Bartol Franjic in midfield.
Possible Starting Lineups:
Stuttgart:
Nubel;
Stenzel, Anton, Zagadou, Ito;
Karazor, Stiller;
Mvumpa, Millot, Fuhrich;
Guirassy
SV Darmstadt 98:
Schuhen;
Klarer, Gjasula, Isherwood;
Bader, Franjic, Mehlem, Holland, Karic;
Stojilkovic, Skarke
Prediction:
Considering Stuttgart’s strong start to the season, they have a promising chance of securing all three points against Darmstadt.
Although Darmstadt has previously tasted victory at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, we predict a comfortable win for the in-form home team.
Final Score: Stuttgart 3-1 SV Darmstadt 98.
