Stuttgart entertain Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday with the two sides level on points in the early stages of the 2020-21 Bundesliga season.
The hosts were denied victory at Schalke 04 last weekend, with Frankfurt also held by Werder Bremen.
Match preview
Having only been promoted back into the Bundesliga last season, Stuttgart have made an excellent start to life upon their return to the German top flight, losing only one of their opening six matches.
Pellegrino Matarazzo was visibly frustrated after his side's 1-1 draw at struggling Schalke last weekend, though, clearly feeling his side did enough to win the match.
Malick Thiaw had allowed Schalke fans to dare to dream of their first Bundesliga win since January after his diving header gave his side the lead heading into half time, before Salif Sane's clear handball allowed Nicolas Gonzalez to level the match from the penalty spot. Captain Gonzalo Castro was denied from distance late in the match as Stuttgart rallied for a winner.
Having drawn three of their last four matches, Matarazzo will be hoping his side can get back to winning ways, but he will be wary of Frankfurt's attacking talent.
Frankfurt were also held to a frustrating 1-1 draw last weekend, coming from behind to claim a point at home to Bremen.
Adi Hutter thought his side had taken the lead in the first half when Daichi Kamada pounced on a rebound following Andre Silva's saved effort, but the Portuguese striker was adjudged to have been offside when originally played through.
Frankfurt started the second half poorly, with Joshua Sargent capping a fine Bremen counter attack by firing past Kevin Trapp at his near post. However, an excellent press from the home side capitalised on Jean-Manuel Mbom carelessly dallying on the ball, with Kamada excellently squaring for Silva to tap in from close range. Bas Dost missed the opportunity to secure three points for his side by hitting the post from a tight angle late in the match.
Having failed to win their last three matches, Hutter will be imploring his side to get back to winning ways at their newly-promoted opposition.
Stuttgart Bundesliga form: LWDWDD
Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga form: DWWDLD
Team News
Stuttgart remain without former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos with a torn meniscus, with Roberto Massimo (knee), Maxime Awoudja (Achilles tendon), Clinton Mola (hip) and Erik Thommy (fitness) all out.
Matarazzo must determine whether to keep the faith with Sasa Kalajdzic after his incredible goalscoring run has dried up in recent matches, with Gonzalez an option to replace or partner him after his impressive introduction at Schalke.
Felix Irorere and Jetro Willems are both struggling with fitness issues for the visitors, with Ragnar Ache (hamstring) and Tuta (thigh) both out.
Kamada, Dost and Silva are likely to combine once more in attack for Hutter's side, with Filip Kostic's return likely to be put on hold until after the international break.
Stuttgart possible starting lineup:
Kobel; Stenzel, Karazor, Kempf; Coulibaly, Endo, Sosa, Castro, Mangala; Gonzalez, Kalajdzic
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Abraham, Hasebe, Hinteregger; Toure, Ilsanker, Rode, Zuber; Kamada; Dost, Silva
We say: Stuttgart 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
While Frankfurt probably have the greater attacking talent of the two sides, Stuttgart are a better functioning team at present and as such we can see a draw in an even encounter.
The visitors will be desperate to get back to winning ways having stuttered of late, but will find it tough to do so.
