Tactics
VfB head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo has opted for a 3-4-3 formation in each of their Bundesliga matches as well as the cup tie against Berliner FC Dynamo. He will have to do without a number of key players this weekend, however, with Naouirou Ahamada, Lilian Egloff, Chris Führich, Alkhaly Momo Cisse, Saša Kalajdžić, Silas and Mohamed Sankoh all missing. Matarazzo will therefore be hoping that Orel Mangala is once again able to link up with the squad.
One to watch: Wataru Endo
Wataru Endo has been at VfB Stuttgart for just over two years now, and after taking a while to settle into his new surroundings, he has become a fixture in the starting line-up. The 28-year-old Japanese international is now very much the focus of the team’s central midfield, and also took over the captain’s armband at the start of this season.
Endo played his junior football in his home city of Yokohama before spells with Shonan Bellmare and Urawa Red Diamonds. He then came over to Europe, signing first for Belgian top-flight club Sint-Truidense V.V. before his move to the Bundesliga and Stuttgart.
Key stats and runs
Eintracht are unbeaten in four matches against Stuttgart.
The last meeting between the two teams ended in a fiercely-contested 1-1 draw.
After three games this season, there is little to separate the clubs in the Bundesliga standings. VfB have three points and currently sit in 13th place, one spot ahead of Eintracht who have just the one point to their name.
Previous meetings
The two sides have met on 48 occasions at Deutsche Bank Park, with Eintracht winning exactly half of them, giving them more home wins against VfB than any other Bundesliga club. In 96 top-flight matches overall, Stuttgart have 42 wins to the Eagles’ 33.
