VfB Stuttgart – Hamburger SV
The Bundesliga season is history. Almost all the decisions have already been made. Only one question remains. Who will prevail in the relegation? VfB Stuttgart, 16th in the top flight, will receive Hamburger SV, third in the 2nd Bundesliga.
Stuttgart are the clear favourites in this duel. The Swabians did not lose any of the last three duels in the Bundesliga. However, VfB slipped down one place in the season finale and thus missed out on direct class preservation. Bochum’s victory over Leverkusen meant that the 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim was not enough for Stuttgart.
But also historically, the Bundesliga team usually emerges victorious from the relegation. Since its reintroduction in 2009, the second-division team has only won three times. In the last ten years, the Bundesliga team has only been relegated once. However, the only first division team to be relegated through the relegation was VfB Stuttgart in 2019, when they lost to Union Berlin.
This could be a glimmer of hope for HSV. The Red Shirts missed promotion by a hair’s breadth this season. Last Sunday, some HSV supporters thought they were already back in the Bundesliga. However, two Heidenheim goals in injury time snatched direct promotion away from the Hanseatic League. In the relegation, coach Tim Walter now hopes that the upward trend of his team will continue. The Reds have won the last three games in a row. Find out whether the fourth game will follow on Thursday in our Stuttgart vs. HSV betting tips.
Stuttgart – HSV Info:
- Date & Time: 01.06.2023, 20:45 Uhr
- Game venue: Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart
- Competition: Bundesliga Relegation, First Leg
- TV coverage: Sky, Sat. 1
Stuttgart Form & Balance Check
The fans of the Swabians certainly go into the two relegation matches against HSV with mixed feelings. On the one hand, VfB was still in a direct relegation spot before the 33rd matchday and still avoided going directly into the Unterhaus.
On the other hand, VfB had it in their own hands on the last matchday to prevent relegation completely. A home win against TSG Hoffenheim would have been enough to secure 15th place. However, the Swabians did not manage more than a 1-1 draw and must therefore continue to fear for their chances of staying in the relegation zone.
Vagnoman should fix it
When Josha Vagnoman was called up to the German national team for friendly matches in March, it caused astonishment among many football fans. After all, the 22-year-old player was only a substitute at the relegation candidate from Stuttgart at that time. Since coach Sebastian Hoeneß took the helm at VfB, however, the role of the HSV newcomer has changed fundamentally.
The Hamburg native is now set on the right side for Stuttgart and scored two goals and set up two more in his first eight league games under Hoeneß. In the relegation, the rail player will now meet his ex-club, for whom he was active until the summer.
Stuttgart facts & analysis
- Sebastian Hoeneß still without a home defeat in the Bundesliga.
- The fifth weakest offence in the league
- Just one point short of direct rescue
HSV Form & Balance Check
The rollercoaster of emotions could not have been greater at HSV in the previous week. The Rothosen went into the final matchday one point behind Heidenheim. HSV finally won the game at SV Sandhausen 1:0, but then the madness took its course.
When the whistle blew at the Hardtwald, Hamburg’s rivals from Heidenheim were still trailing 2-1 in Regensburg. But in the eleven minutes of injury time, the men from the Ostalb turned the game around and were crowned champions of the 2nd Bundesliga. The Hamburg side will now be heading for their second relegation in a row.
Walter against ex-club
In the 2019/20 season, VfB Stuttgart entered their last season in the 2. Bundesliga so far with Tim Walter as coach. Walter had previously come to Stuttgart from Kiel and got off to a furious start: After the 8th matchday, he led the table with VfB undefeated and had 20 points on his account. In the ten games that followed, however, Stuttgart suffered five defeats, including a 2:6 loss to HSV.
Despite this, VfB were always among the best three teams in the league under Walter. Shortly before Christmas 2019, however, the coach was forced to resign and under his successor Pellegrino Matarazzo, VfB were promoted. In the previous week, Matarazzo and his new team from Hoffenheim ensured that VfB had to go through the relegation process at all.
HSV Facts & Analysis
- In 3rd place in the 2. Bundesliga
- Best offence in the league
- Three wins in a row last
Predicted lineup – last updated May 31, 2023
Coach Sebastian Hoeneß will again send his team into the match in a 3-4-3. Tiago Tomás, who scored the equaliser against Hoffenheim, could rotate into the starting eleven. Waldemar Anton and Silas will start the game with four yellow cards.
HSV will only make a few changes to their starting eleven. Bakery Jatta and Ludovit Reis will return to the starting eleven after missing the weekend through suspension. Sonny Kittel, Robert Glatzel and Jonas David, however, will go into the game with four yellow cards and would miss the second leg if they receive a caution.
Stuttgart – HSV Direct comparison & Statistics
The record between VfB Stuttgart and HSV is very even so far. The Swabians have collected 47 against the Red Shirts so far, while Hamburg have picked up 46 against VfB. Stuttgart won the last duel on 28.05.2020 in the 2nd Bundesliga with 3:2.
- The last victory of HSV in Stuttgart was on 10/03/2013.
- Stuttgart have conceded one goal in each of their last 9 matches.
- When HSV lead 1-0 in away games, they win 80% of the games
