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VfB Stuttgart vs. Borussia Dortmund
The Bundesliga is all about redemption on Friday. After the 1:4 home defeat against RB Leipzig, not only the BVB fans expect a reaction. To open the 29th matchday, Dortmund take on relegation-threatened VfB Stuttgart. Kick-off at the Mercedes-Benz Arena is at 20:30.
VfB Stuttgart also had a disappointing weekend. In the basement duel with Arminia Bielefeld, the Swabians could have scored a “big point”. Despite clear superiority and many good chances to score, the result was only a 1-1 draw. VfB is therefore still in the relegation battle. Whether we trust the Swabians, who have been strong in recent games, to score against a struggling BVB and what other predictions we have for this match, you can find out in our Stuttgart vs. Dortmund tip.
Stuttgart vs Dortmund info
– Date & Time: 08.04.2022, at 20:30 hrs.
– Venue: Stuttgart, Mercedes-Benz Arena
– Competition: Bundesliga, 29th matchday
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Stuttgart Form & Balance Check
On the penultimate matchday, VfB Stuttgart left the direct relegation places for the first time since mid-January with a 3-2 win over FC Augsburg. However, the 1:1 in Bielefeld last weekend did not advance the Swabians any further. With 27 points, they are currently just one point ahead of seventeenth-placed Hertha BSC. However, after eight points from the last four games, VfB are in their best shape so far at the end of the season. The only time the Stuttgart team went four games in a row without defeat was in October of the previous year. At that time, however, they only picked up six points (three draws & one win).
Interesting remaining programme
The Swabians are unlikely to get bored this season, if only because of the current table situation. But the rest of the fixture list is also a challenge. In addition to Dortmund, VfB will also play FC Bayern München and thus have the chance to get involved in the championship race. In addition, there are two direct relegation duels against Hertha BSC and VfL Wolfsburg on the programme.
Stuttgart facts & analysis
– unbeaten for 4 Bundesliga games
– two 3:2 home wins in a row
– in the last 8 matches both teams always scored
Dortmund form & balance check
It was supposed to be a great football festival. For the first time in over two years, Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park was completely sold out. Leipzig, the team with the strongest form in the Bundesliga, was the guest. Everything was set for a top match – but Leipzig was the party crasher. The Saxons survived the first phase of pressure from Dortmund, who missed two great chances to take the lead in the person of Marco Reus and Erling Haaland, and in turn took the lead with the first shot on Dortmund’s goal (Laimer 21′).
The Bullen extended their lead before the half-time break with Konrad Laimer’s second goal (30′). Christopher Nkunku made it 3-0 in the 57th minute. BVB, who were shockingly weak and unimaginative in the second half, only managed the almost surprising goal (Malen 84′). The hope for more was nipped in the bud by Dani Olmo (86′) less than two minutes later with a great shot from distance.
Does Rose have to go?
After the performance against Leipzig, even Dortmund’s biggest optimists are now unlikely to believe in their first championship since the 2011/12 season. They are nine points behind FC Bayern Munich. Six league games are still to be played. At the same time, with a twelve-point lead over fifth place, BVB’s participation in the Champions League is as good as assured.
At the end of the season, however, those responsible will have to draw a sobering balance. Once again, “only” second place in the Bundesliga was achieved. In the Champions League, the team was eliminated in the group phase. The Europa League exit followed in the qualifying round of the last 16 against Glasgow Rangers. And in the DFB Cup, as defending champions, they did not make it past the round of 16. Players like Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham are unlikely to be retained in this way.
Dortmund facts & analysis
– Won only two of last 5 league games (2 draws & 1 defeat).
– scored exactly 1 goal in 5 games in a row
– unbeaten in 6 away games in Bundesliga
Predicted line-up – last update on 7 April 2022
The VfB Stuttgart team seems to have found itself. Set back by many injuries, the Swabians did not have a clear first eleven throughout the season. This seems to have changed after the last few performances. Against Dortmund, however, VfB will have to do without Waldemar Anton, who is suspended with a yellow card. Hiroki Ito is expected to take his place. For the Corona-infected Sasa Kalajdzic, Tiago Tomas is likely to move into the forward line, Chris Führich will move to right wing and Orel Mangala will fill the vacant position in the centre.
Dortmund’s season has also been marked by injuries. After the return of Reus and Haaland, five full-backs – Schulz, Schmelzer, Meunier, Morey and Passlack – are currently out. In addition, young striker Steffen Tigges is missing with an ankle injury. Against VfB Stuttgart, we expect BVB to play with a four-man defence. In the offensive we expect the trio of Reyna, Haaland and Malen.
Stuttgart – Dortmund direct comparison & Statistics
The overall balance between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund is almost even. Of 113 encounters, Stuttgart won 43 and Dortmund 46. 24 games ended in a draw. However, the balance of the last few years is clearly in Dortmund’s favour. BVB won nine of the last eleven encounters with VfB. This was also the case in the first half of this season. BVB won 2:1 at the Signal Iduna Park.
– BVB have won their last two games against Stuttgart.
– BVB have won nine of their last eleven matches against VfB (2 losses).
– In the last four duels, both teams have scored every time
– In the last 15 duels there were always at least 3 goals in the match
