Stuttgart travel to the MEWA Arena on Sunday to face Mainz 05 in a crucial fixture which could determine their top-flight future.
Die Schwaben enter the weekend in an automatic relegation spot and could have their fate sealed this weekend should results go against them.
Match preview
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A slight stutter over the last two games means Stuttgart are now in big trouble of losing their top-flight status.
Sebastian Hoeness's side enter the penultimate weekend one point behind Schalke in 16th, and two points adrift of Bochum who sit just outside the relegation places.
If both Schalke and Bochum win this weekend, and Hoffenheim avoid defeat, a Stuttgart loss will see them relegated.
The Swabian faithful will be wishing for a similar outcome to last season where a win on the final day saw them avoid even needing the relegation playoff, as at least one win from their final two will be required for that scenario to be possible.
Despite scoring the most and conceding the least out of the bottom four sides, too many draws and plenty of narrow defeats have placed Stuttgart in this unwanted predicament.
They have lost just one of their last six games, but that inexplicably came against a Hertha Berlin side who are destined to finish bottom.
A draw with Bayer Leverkusen last weekend saw Stuttgart slip into the drop zone, and Mainz are not favourable opponents for them to face next, as they have won only once in 12 visits, and that came behind closed doors in 2020.
While Stuttgart are maintaining a fight against the drop, Mainz have absolutely capitulated in their attempts to qualify for Europe.
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After beating Bayern Munich 3-1 here last month, a top-seven finish looked almost certain for Mainz having gone 10 games unbeaten.
Since that headline victory though, Bo Svensson's men have lost three on the spin, conceding three goals on each occasion.
One of those defeats was here against another relegation-threatened side Schalke, a result which ended a seven-game unbeaten run at the MEWA Arena.
Mainz have not lost back-to-back home games since Svensson's first two in charge back in January 2021, and to keep their season alive, they must ensure they avoid repeating that feat.
Being four points off the European places means it is still out of their hands, but a defeat for Wolfsburg at Freiburg on Friday has given them a glimmer of hope.
Finishing the season with two wins may still not be enough, as Mainz will be hoping RB Leipzig can come out victorious in the DFB-Pokal final in order to open up an additional league place for a European spot.
Team News
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Mainz will be without Andreas Hanche-Olsen, who is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season last weekend.
Dominik Kohr is available after his ban though, as four consecutive matches with a booking racked up 10 for the season, but he is carrying a head injury and may miss this one.
Goalkeeper Robin Zentner is doubtful with a knee injury, while other influential players such as full-back pairing Silvan Widmer and Aaron Martin are set to miss out.
Serhou Guirassy should start in attack for Stuttgart after scoring his 10th goal of the season last weekend, matching his best scoring season in European football.
Hoeness will hope to have defender Konstantinos Mavropanos back from a shin injury in time for this one, as the Greek international has missed the last two matches.
Josha Vagnoman is doubtful though, after picking up a leg injury in the week.
Illness ruled backup keeper Florian Muller out of the matchday squad last weekend, but he should be okay to return here, while the only other injury absentee for the visitors is youngster Thomas Kastanaras, who is recovering from a broken ankle.
Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:
Zentner; Fernandes, Bell, Caci; Da Costa, Stach, Lee Jae-sung, Barreiro Martins; Ingvartsen, Onisiwo, Ajorque
Stuttgart possible starting lineup:
Bredlow; Anton, Mavropanos, Ito; Zagadou, Karazor, Endo, Sosa; Silas, Guirassy, Tiago Tomas
We say: Mainz 05 1-1 Stuttgart
Mainz have lost form at exactly the wrong time and drifting into mid-table now looks likely, while Stuttgart will be desperate for a win to keep themselves above water.
Both Svensson and his opposite number Hoeness have never won when facing their respective opponents ahead of this encounter in four attempts apiece, and that record could continue here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Andrew Delaney
