VFB Stuttgart will take on Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday, 6 October with the home team looking for a win that would help them climb closer to the top of the league table.
Stuttgart had a stunning campaign last season, finishing in second place and above Bayern Munich under the guidance of Sebastian Hoeness.
Hoffenheim, meanwhile, have had a miserable start to the season despite finishing inside the top seven last season. They will need to start picking up points quickly if they are to finish in the European spots again.
How the bookies view it: The hosts are massive favourites
The bookies have clearly taken note of Hoffenheim's slow start to the new season and have priced them as major underdogs as a result. Betfred have priced a Stuttgart win as short as 2/7 while a win for Hoffeinheim has been priced at 15/2. The draw, which would be a great result for the visitors, has been priced at 11/2.
Recent head-to-head: Cause for Hoffenheim belief
Stuttgart's price of 15/2 starts to look like excellent value when you look at how they have fared in recent meetings against Stuttgart. Hoffenheim have only lost one of their last five matches against Stuttgart and won at the MHPArena last season in a five-goal thriller.
Stuttgart won the most recent clash between the two clubs 3-0 and they will be hoping for something similar on Sunday.
Players to watch: Stuttgart's deadly duo
Replacing the goals scored by Serhou Guirassy was always going to be a difficult task for Stuttgart this season after last season's top scorer moved to Borussia Dortmund. However, manager Sebastian Hoeness has seemingly already found the solution in the form of a brand new strike partnership.
Denis Undav, who scored 19 goals for the club last season on loan from Brighton, has been paired with new signing, Ermedin Demirovic, to great effect so far. The duo have combined for ten goals in all competitions so far this season with eight of those coming in the Bundesliga.
This weekend, the pair are certain to line up together at the top of the pitch and will fancy their chances of scoring against a Hoffenheim team that have already conceded 15 league goals this season.
Predicted line-ups
Stuttgart are set to be without three first-team players on Sunday with Dan-Axel Zagadou, Justin Diehl and Nikolas Nartey all unavailable due to injury. Hoffenheim have absentees of their own with Stanley O'Soki suspended and Ozan Kabak, Grischa Promel, Ihlas Bebou, Dennis Geiger and Pavel Kaderabek all injured.
Stuttgart: Nubel – Stenzel, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstadt – Millot, Stiller, Karazor, Leweling – Undav, Demirovic
Hoffenheim: Baumann – Gendrey, Drexler, Stach, Akpoguma, Prass – Grillitsch, Bischof – Kramaric, Bulter – Hlozek
Anything else catch the eye?
Stuttgart have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch in Europe this season and all five of their Bundesliga matches so far have produced three goals or more. Hoffenheim have also been involved in high-scoring matches and have conceded four goals on two occasions already. Over 3.5 goals to be scored on Sunday has been priced at 4/7 by Betfred.
This German Bundesliga match between VFB Stuttgart and Hoffenheim will be played on Oct 6, 2024 and kick off at 18:30. Check below for our tipsters best VFB Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
