STUTTGART, Germany — On Sunday, May 11, Stuttgart go face Augsburg for their second-to-last Bundesliga match of the season at MHPArena, starting 6:30 PM UK time. The match set to happen ahead of the DFB-Pokal final on May 24 is crucial for both teams, each needing points to secure their positions. Stuttgart sit 10th with 44 points, while Augsburg lag behind in 11th place with 43 points.
Stuttgart come into the game after a solid defensive display against St. Pauli, limiting their opponents to just one shot on target, despite the game being affected when the visitors went down to 10 men in the 57th minute. The team aims for a win to boost their chances of qualifying for the Conference League, though six points separate them from sixth-placed RB Leipzig, making their path tricky.
Coach Hoeness has concerns as his team has only won once in their last four outings and has struggled at home, losing their last six Bundesliga matches at MHPArena. After a dismal home record but a better performance away, they will need that extra fight against Augsburg to keep their hopes alive.
Augsburg’s form is equally underwhelming, having suffered a 3-1 defeat against Holstein Kiel last time out. Their offensive stats are troubling, sitting as the lowest-scoring team among the top 12 clubs, with only 34 goals this season. They struggled to create chances and only managed one goal in their last three matches.
Augsburg coach has yet to secure a win in his last three matches, falling into the relegation battle despite showing potential early in the season. The team has been missing key players recently but could find solace if they manage to secure a victory in this crucial match against Stuttgart.
Both teams face notable absences; Stuttgart’s defense will be impacted, leading to potential starts for new faces. Augsburg will miss one of their top strikers, but they plan to shake things up in their lineup to maximize their chances of scoring.
The final whistle on Sunday will signal more than just another Bundesliga clash, as both teams look to shift their respective fates heading into the last matches of the season, with survival the key concern for one and aspirations of European football for the other.
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