StuttgartEintracht Frankfurt

Stuttgart is building on their dynamic home football: in the league, they produce around 2.2 expected goals per match at the MHPArena, while Undav, Leweling, and Führich get into good quality positions in front of the goal. Due to the high pressing defense, Hoeneß's team usually concedes around 1.2 expected goals, but they have won 11/13 competitive matches at home this season, nurturing realistic Champions League dreams. In defense, Zagadou and Jaquez are missing, likely with young Jeltsch stepping in alongside Chabot - this brings some uncertainty, but it doesn't decrease the speed of ball distribution.

Frankfurt is a pulsating, counter-attacking team away from home (away average: 1.6 expected goals, 2.2 expected goals against). Toppmöller's squad often closes with three center-backs, but Knauff, Doan, and Uzun aggressively break forward after regaining possession. From the defensive trio, Koch-Theate is stable, but their colleagues allow a lot: the visitors have accumulated 10 goals conceded and 6.7 expected goals against in their last four away league games.

In terms of missing players, Stuttgart is more affected by rotation depth issues, while the visitors have a thinner attacking line due to Burkardt's ankle injury and Batshuayi's long-term absence, but Uzun and Doan are ready to play. Both teams need points for European positions, so we shouldn't expect a low-key, reserved match.