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Stuttgart will hope to bounce back from their opening-day defeat in the Bundesliga with a win against visitors Koln on Friday at MHPArena.
The hosts come into the clash last in 18th place having lost 5-1 to Bayern Munich in matchweek one, whereas their opponents are in seventh place with three points following their 3-2 triumph against Hoffenheim last weekend.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Stuttgart vs Koln key stats
- Stuttgart have scored at least three goals in nine of their last 21 competitive matches.
- Koln and Stuttgart have both scored against each other in their past three meetings.
- Deniz Undav has provided six assists in his last 10 competitive games for club and country.
Stuttgart vs Koln preview: Aiming to bounce back after matchweek one
Stuttgart vs Koln — Tale of the Tape
| Stuttgart | vs | Koln |
|---|---|---|
| 18th | Position | 7th |
| 0 | Points | 3 |
| 5 | Goals For | 3 |
| 57 | Goals Against | 2 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 17th | Home / Away Rank | 3rd |
Stuttgart's defeat against Bayern Munich should not necessarily have come as a surprise, nor should the scoreline given the Bavarians have routinely obliterated even the best teams in the Bundesliga.
However, it would be understandable if some fans were disheartened by the match as it may have indicated to them that their side is not yet ready to compete for the title.
The test on Friday will be completely different, and it could be more similar to their clash with Hansa Rostock on August 21 in which they dominated possession and won 4-0.
Sebastian Hoeness could select a backline featuring centre-backs Jeff Chabot, Finn Jeltsch and Ramon Hendriks due to Dan-Axel Zagadou's hamstring injury.
Koln have started the season in excellent fashion, with the club coming back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to beat Hoffenheim.
The Billy Goats also managed to win 2-1 against Wurzburger Kickers on August 24 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, and they have won as many games in their last two fixtures as they had in their prior 15 competitive matches.
Head coach Rene Wagner will hope to earn his side's first victory in eight meetings with Stuttgart, while also avoiding a sixth defeat.
Koln are likely to trust Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Luka Lochoshvili in the middle of a back four, especially as defenders Timo Hubers and Sebastian Sebulonsen have been ruled out.
Stuttgart vs Koln form guide & betting tips
| STU | vs | KOL |
|---|---|---|
L |
Form | W |
| 0 | Points | 3 |
| N/A | Form Table | N/A |
| 1 | Goals For | 2 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 5 |
WL |
Form (All Comps) | WW |
Whispers predicts: Stuttgart 3-1 Koln
Stuttgart may have started the season poorly, but the bookmakers have full confidence in a home win, pricing a victory for the hosts at 1/2 (1.5).
Considering Koln and Stuttgart have both scored against each other in their last three meetings, a starting bet of Both Teams to Score at 4/9 (1.44) should be the way to go.
The hosts have often been excellent in the final third, and it could be sensible to predict Over 2.5 Goals for Stuttgart at 6/5 (2.2).
Deniz Undav has registered six assists in his past 10 competitive matches for club and country, and that makes a bet of Deniz Undav to Assist at 3/1 (4) a value prediction.
> Both Teams to Score at 4/9 (1.44) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 Goals for Stuttgart at 6/5 (2.2) | Likelihood: Possible
> Deniz Undav to Assist at 3/1 (4) | Likelihood: Outsider