Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker:
Simply looking to finish off the job on Monday night and extend on their Bundesliga status, Stuttgart will travel to the Volksparkstadion on Monday night when they meet Hamburger.
Hamburger
Starting with the hosts, putting in a nightmare display when they travelled to the Mercedes-Benz Arena last week, Tim Walter’s side know that they’re seeking a miracle on Monday night. Eventually getting hit with a 3-0 first-leg drumming, Die Rothosen watched their eye-catching flurry come to an abrupt end. Despite signing off their Bundesliga II campaign with three straight second-tier wins on the bounce, the one-time Stuttgart boss suddenly has plenty of pressure on his shoulders. However, despite facing what is a major uphill battle when they return to the Volksparkstadion, Hamburger should at least be boosted by their continued success on home soil. Last seen in front of their own supporters picking up a lively 2-1 victory against Furth, Monday’s hosts have lost just one of their previous 12 showdowns in Hamburg a run that stems all the way back to a 3-2 defeat against Magdeburg on October 23rd.
Team News
Missing the first leg last week after picking up a recent knock, Hamburger are once again sweating over the fitness of Laszlo Benes here. Likewise, Walter’s side have confirmed that they will certainly be unable to call upon the likes of Noah Katterbach, Mario Vuskovic and Tom Mickel.
Shown a straight red card just nine minutes after coming off the bench at the Mercedes-Benz arena last week, 22-year-old Anssi Suhonen will miss out through suspension.
Stuttgart
As for the visitors, making what was a stellar first-leg statement on home soil last weekend, Stuttgart know that they are sat firmly in pole position to extend on their Bundesliga status here. Eventually breezing their way to a 3-0 romp at the Mercedes-Benz Arena and simply looking to avoid what would be a major collapse on Monday night, Sebastian Hoeneb’s side are riding what has been a recent wave of momentum. Although the Reds might have failed to automatically maintain their top-flight status last month, Stuttgart have lost just a pair of their last 11 domestic appearances a run that stems all the way back to April 1st. With that run highlighted by a shock 4-1 victory away at Mainz last month, Hoeneb’s men have also impressed with their recent success on the road. In fact, Stuttgart ended the 2022/23 campaign with just a single loss from their final five Bundesliga showdowns away from the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Team News
Not making a single appearance since suffering a broken ankle back in February, Stuttgart will once again be without 20-year-old Thomas Kastanaras on Monday night. Storming their way to that first-leg 3-0 win last weekend, Hoeneb should name an identical starting XI here.
Bagging a first-leg strike last week and with five goals in his previous seven domestic appearances, attacking talisman Serhou Guirassy will spearhead Stuttgart’s charge at the Volksparkstadion.
Key Factors to Consider
