VfB Stuttgart vs. Werder Bremen preview: Champions League push meets survival fight

VfB Stuttgart vs. Werder Bremen preview: Champions League push meets survival fight

Stuttgart

Stuttgart go into the weekend knowing that Champions League football is within touching distance with four to go.

Sebastian Hoeneß’s side have enjoyed an impressive campaign, bouncing back from last season’s disappointment to establish themselves firmly in the top-four race.

With four games remaining, Die Schwaben sit fourth, narrowly ahead of their nearest challengers, Hoffenheim.

Consistency, however, remains an issue. Stuttgart have alternated between wins and defeats across their last eight matches in all competitions.

Still, Thursday’s DFB-Pokal semi-final win over Freiburg - sealed by Tiago Tomas in extra time - booked their place in the final and delivered a timely lift.

Home form may yet prove decisive. Stuttgart have won their last two matches at the MHPArena, their best run there since February, and will hope to build on it as they try to cement their top-four place.

Team news

Stuttgart are still without Finn Jeltsch (abdominal), while Justin Diehl (muscular) and Lazar Jovanović (back) also remain sidelined.

Though, Hoeneß is able to pick from the majority of his squad ahead of the run-in.

Predicted XI - 4-2-3-1: Nübel; Vagnoman, Jaquez, , Mittelstädt; Karazor, Stiller; Leweling, , ; Demirovic