VfB Stuttgart vs 1. FC Köln Bundesliga Preview: Team News and Predicted Lineups

Match Overview

VfB Stuttgart head into this tie knowing victory puts them within one point of Bayern Munich ahead of the Bavarian's clash with RB Leipzig.

1. FC Köln will be wary that Mainz won last weekend meaning they are now within a point of the Billy Goats in 16th.

However, with the 05ers facing a tough Leverkusen side on Friday, Köln may hope to widen the gap in 16th place to four points.

VfB Stuttgart will hope history repeats itself as they are four games without a loss in the Bundesliga against Köln (three wins and a draw) with the last loss coming against Köln in a 1-0 loss in late 2021 courtesy of an Anthony Modeste goal.

Jan Thielmann will be expected to start as the lone striker again for Timo Schultz's side and will hope to extend his goals tally this season to two with a strike on the weekend.

For Sebastian Hoeneß's side, an ex-Köln strike force of Chris Führich and Serhou Guirassy will look to sink the Billy Goats. Both, however, are yet to score against their former sides for the Schwabenmetropole.

Team News

VfB Stuttgart

VfB Stuttgart will be without key players Alexander Nübel and in-form striker Deniz Undav due to injury. Further injuries include Di Benedetto (calf), Nartey (knee) and Zagadou (knee). Additionally, Maximilian Mittelstädt has been deemed not fit enough to start for Stuttgart.

1. FC Köln

Köln are still without Davie Selke, Luca Waldschmidt and Mark Uth due to injury. Damion Downs will also miss the fixture due to a concussion. Faride Alidou is a doubt due to an issue illness which saw him miss last weekend's away loss to Hoffenheim.

Predicted Lineups

VfB Stuttgart

Seimen; Vagnoman, Anton (c), Ito, Stergiou; Karazor, Stiller, Leweling, Millot; Führich, Guirassy

1. FC Köln

Schwäbe; Schmitz, Hübers, Chabot, Finkgräfe; Martel, Huseinbašić, Maina, Kainz (c), Ljubicic; Thielmann