The Wolves are without a win in their last four games, having followed up a 3-2 defeat at Bayern Munich in January with three successive draws – against Holstein Kiel, Eintracht Frankfurt and reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen last time out. The points were also shared in this season’s first meeting between VfL and VfB Stuttgart, who host the Green-and-Whites on Matchday 22 (kick-off 15:30 CET on Saturday afternoon).
Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side are certainly proving difficult to beat this term and have played particularly well on their travels, racking up five wins away from the Volkswagen Arena. As such, it promises to be an absorbing contest between fifth-placed Stuttgart and the ninth-placed Wolves this weekend.
Pre-match facts and figures
- VfB flying high: With 35 points after 21 matches, Stuttgart are enjoying their second-best season since winning the Bundesliga title in 2006/07, when they had 41 points at this stage. After 21 games last term, Sebastian Hoeneß’s side had accumulated 43 points.
- Winless Wolves: Despite going four league games without a win for the first time under Hasenhüttl, VfL are seven points better off this season (30) than they were after 21 games last term (23). Thirty points at this stage is the Wolves’ best tally since 2020/21, when they had 39.
- Set-piece specialists: Only Bayern have scored more goals from dead-ball situations this season (18) than VfL (16) and Stuttgart (14).
- Spreading the goals around: Fifteen different players have found the net for both Stuttgart and Wolfsburg this season – a joint league-high. Only Frankfurt and Bayern boast as many goalscorers this term (also 15 each).
- Youthful Stuttgart: The average age of Hoeneß’s starting XI this season (25 years and 99 days) is the youngest in the Bundesliga. VfL’s is the second-youngest, with an average age of 25 years and 157 days.
- Milestone for Hoeneß?: The VfB boss is hoping to celebrate his 50th win in his 85th game in charge in all competitions.
- 100 and counting: Angelo Stiller and Kevin Behrens are set to reach a century of Bundesliga appearances this weekend.
Recent results at a glance:
- 28.09.2024: VfL Wolfsburg – VfB Stuttgart 2:2
- 02.03.2024: VfL Wolfsburg – VfB Stuttgart 2:3
- 07.10.2023: VfB Stuttgart – VfL Wolfsburg 3:1
- 18.03.2023: VfB Stuttgart – VfL Wolfsburg 0:1
- 01.10.2022: VfL Wolfsburg – VfB Stuttgart 3:2
