VfB Stuttgart vs Union Berlin Bundesliga Preview: Team News and Predicted Lineups

Match Overview

VfB Stuttgart

Sebastian Hoeneß's VfB Stuttgart head into this Bundesliga tie following a nervy 3-2 victory over VfL Wolfsburg last weekend.

A late Lukas Nmecha goal meant an uneasy final fifteen minutes for the Swabians but they managed to hold on.

Also, ahead of this tie Stuttgart are seven points clear of RB Leipzig in fifth in the hunt for a Champions League spot.

On a bright note, both games against Union Berlin have ended in wins this season (3-0 in the Bundesliga and 1-0 in the DFB Pokal).

Former 1. FC Köln player Serhou Guirassy has been a revelation for Sebastian Hoeneß's team this season with twenty goals this season in the Bundesliga.

Ahead of Friday's clash, Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß said: "Under Nenad Bjelica, Union Berlin have constantly scored. They hardly get any goals conceded, which is not least due to the fact that they make it very difficult for the opponents to create chances and goals."

Union Berlin

Borussia Dortmund handed Union Berlin a humbling 2-0 defeat at home last time out in the league with Ian Maatsen starring to make "Die Eisernen" succumb to 14th after last matchday.

Despite this, Union Berlin have improved this year and have gotten mood-lifting wins against Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim and Darmstadt since the start of the Rückrunde.

Last time out against VfB Stuttgart, Union Berlin lost 3-0 at home as Silas Katompa Mvumpa, Serhou Guirassy and Deniz Undav all found the back of the net.

Bennedict Hollerbach has been standout performer for Nenad Bjelica's side as he has scored in three of their five Bundesliga home wins this campaign.

Union Berlin will not be motivated by the fact that this is their worst ever points tally (with 25 points) after 24 Bundesliga games.

Ahead of the VfB Stuttgart game, Nenad Bjelica spoke about Union Berlin's ineffectiveness in taking chances: "We hope for more effectiveness. We know that we won't get ten 100% chances against such opponents. But you have to use the three or four that you have."

Team News

VfB Stuttgart

Dan-Axel Zagadou remains out with a knee injury for Stuttgart and is unlikely to return this season. Similarly, Nikolas Nartey is also suffering from a knee injury so will be unavailable.

A short-term decision will be made from Sebastian Hoeneß on whether Deniz Undav will start. However, he revealed in his press conference that Undav was showing positive signs in training. Waldemar Anton is also a doubt as he has only been able to complete parts of their training this week.

Union Berlin

For Union Berlin, there are no injury worries before Friday's tie.

Predicted Lineups

VfB Stuttgart:

Nübel; Vagnoman, Anton (c), Ito, Mittelstädt; Millot, Karazor, Stiller, Führich; Undav, Guirassy

Union Berlin:

Rønnow; Doekhi, Vogt, Leite; Khedira (c); Juranović, Tousart, Schäfer, Gosens; Volland, Hollerbach