Preview: Stuttgart vs. Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund will be looking to continue their improved form in the Bundesliga on Friday when they travel to fellow strugglers Stuttgart.

Jurgen Klopp's side have edged out of the relegation places since the start of the month thanks to back-to-back wins.

Their most recent victory came last weekend as they saw off Mainz 05 4-2 at Signal Iduna Park. Another win on Friday night could see them move as high as 10th place in the standings.

However, they come up against a Stuttgart team that is in desperate need of the points following a five-game winless run.

The hosts, whose last win came back in December, currently sit four points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table.

Dortmund and Stuttgart played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture five months ago, with a late goal from Ciro Immobile earning Dortmund a share of the spoils.

Kevin Grosskreutz remains sidelined for the visitors due to a hamstring injury, while Sven Bender and Erik Durm could be back in contention after the pair missed the game with Mainz through illness.

Klopp could be tempted to rest players ahead of next week's Champions League last-16 first leg away to Juventus, but the coach is likely to view Bundesliga survival as a more important issue.

Carlos Gruezo recently returned to training for Stuttgart following a muscle injury, but Moritz Leitner may be forced to miss the game after picking up a calf strain during the team's preparations.

Stuttgart:

Form in Bundesliga: WDLDLL

Possible starting lineup: Ulreich; Sakai, Baumgartl, Niedermeier, Hlousek; Klein, Leitner, Romeu, Gentner, Harnik; Werner

Borussia Dortmund:

Form in Bundesliga: DLDLWW

Possible starting lineup: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Sokratis, Schmelzer; Sahin, Gundogan, Kampl, Kagawa, Reus; Aubameyang

Sports Mole says: 1-2