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Having already qualified for next season’s Champions League, three points would see Stuttgart overtake Bayern Munich in second-place should Thomas Tuchel’s men lose against Hoffenheim.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 18th May 2024, UK – 14:30 / US EST – 09:30 / US PST – 07:30
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports schedule / US – ESPN
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – ESPN+
STUTTGART PREVIEW: SECOND-PLACE STILL WITHIN REACH FOR HOENESS’ HEROES
This time last season, Stuttgart were in mortal danger of relegation to the 2. Bundesliga and were competing on the last day to stay up, eventually competing in the relegation play-off thanks to a late revival under new head coach Sebastian Hoeness. Fast forward 12 months and Hoeness has masterminded a quite remarkable turnaround which sees his side at the opposite end of the table in 2023-24.
With 22 wins from 33 Bundesliga fixtures, including four draws and just seven defeats, Stuttgart are assured of at least a third-place finish and their place in the 2024-25 Champions League is secure. But Stuttgart are after more than that and could even finish above the giants of Bayern Munich if results go their way on the final day.
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH PREVIEW: IMPROVEMENT NEEDED AT GLADBACH WITH AN IMPORTANT SUMMER ON THE HORIZON
In contrast to Stuttgart, there is significant unrest within the fanbase of Borussia Monchengladbach and rightly so. Being assured of survival ahead of this final round of games is the only positive in what has been a really poor campaign for such a big club, who would’ve no doubt expected much better back in August.
The visitors are ending the season with a whimper, having not won in their last five league matches, conceding nine goals in the process. Everyone involved with the club more than likely has one eye on 2024-25 already with this campaign consigned to the history books.
STUTTGART TEAM NEWS: UNDAV TO PARTNER GUIRASSY UP TOP FOR THE FINAL TIME
Stuttgart fans will get to see the hugely potent strike partnership of Deniz Undav and Serhou Guirassy together for one last time, with the chances that both are at the club next season being slim. This marks Undav’s final game of a wildly success loan stint from Brighton, whilst Guirassy will no doubt be the subject of significant transfer interest come summertime.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Nubel; Stergiou, Anton, Ito, Mittelstadt; Leweling, Karazor, Stiller, Fuhrich; Undav, Guirassy
UNAVAILABLE: Egloff (Injured), Massimo (Injured), Nartey (Injured), Vagnoman (Injured), Zagadou (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH TEAM NEWS: THREE CENTRE-BACKS LIKELY FOR GLADBACH WITH TWO UP FRONT
Alassane Plea and Robin Hack are likely to be the two forwards lining up together for Gladbach, who are without midfielder Christoph Kramer through illness. Centre-back Max Wober is out with a thigh problem, whilst an ankle injury sidelines Shio Fukuda. Expect wing-backs Lainer and Scally to play important roles here.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Omlin; Friedrich, Elvedi, Itakura; Lainer, Reitz, Weigl, Kone, Scally; Plea, Hack
UNAVAILABLE: Fukuda (Injured), Kramer (Illness), Ranos (Injured), Wober (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
STUTTGART VS BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH PREDICTION
Stuttgart won’t want to contemplate Bayern Munich losing away to Hoffenheim and them not taking advantage here, so expect a fast start from the hosts as they look to try and put away Borussia Monchengladbach early on. The unrelenting style of play and attacking prowess of Stuttgart has lit up the Bundesliga this season and is so difficult to keep quiet across 90 minutes. With Undav and Guirassy leading the line, the home side are expected to prove too strong for Gladbach on this occasion.
STUTTGART VS BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH TIP: STUTTGART TO WIN