Arminia Bielefeld - VfB Stuttgart

This became a very important match for both teams. If we take a look on the table both are in almost a must win situation, Arminia to close the gap from 2 Points and stay in the relegation battle while Stuttgart wants to climb back on top and make the next step for promotion.
With the new Coach Bielefeld is doing well and they had a good run lately. With 10 Points out of the last 4 matches they are doing well in relegation battle but all the rivals collected Points and they are in a must win situation as well. VfB coming of a excellent derby win to KSC with 2-0 what should give them some boost as they could only win 1 of the last 6.

Arminia celebrated the first away win this Season in Sandhausen 3-1 where they won exactly one year ago the last time. This was a very important one and also the good home streak should help them in the next week to hold all in their hand in relegation battle.
Coach Saibene needs not much time to find a good working starting eleven. But he has to changes it this time because with Prietl he has one guy suspended for this encounter. Also the long term injured Nöthe, Görlitz, Lang and Hornig are not available. Some options are there to replace Prietl - 1. one can be that Junglas plays beside Schütz in central midfield - 2. one is to move Yabo back from offensive midfield to central midfield (of course, only if he is ready because he faces a shoulder injury from Sandhausen match) then central striker Vogelsammer can play in offensive midfield while top striker Klos gives his comeback in starting eleven up front. Some more changes can be on the left wing where Staude or Putaro could not convince much. With Brandy they have a good player back from injury and he can maybe jump into the starting eleven.

After stopping the negative run from 5 matches Stuttgart coming to Bielefeld with a lot of self confidence and believe in their strength to win the 6. time there. As I said already, the derby win should give them some boost and give them the additional needed percent of power back which is needed in a close promotion race.
It is not far away that Coach Wolf counts again on the winning lineup from last weekend. With Grgic they have one guy back from injury while Mane, Grahl and Sarpei are alle sidelined. If Wolf plays again with two youngsters in central midfield is more as open, because with Zimmermann he has a very talented and powerful player ready again. Also in offensive he has a lot options as well. Last time he field with Gentner, Asano, Maxim and striker Terodde a strong and powerful offense who did the job, above all Asano convinced. Nevertheless he has with Ginczek, Brekalo and Green some in the back hand and can change every time he needs.

The record is pro Bielefeld in their home games against Stuttgart. They hare up with 8 wins 3 draws and 5 defeats. According to both teams situation and form, it can be a very tough and close game.

Some facts:
- Stuttgart scored in 10 from 11 matches in second part of the Season while Bielefeld conceded in 17 of their last 19 matches at least a goal.
- In matches where Stuttgart was involved the last 10 times, there was always a goal in first half 9 times.
- In matches where Arminia was involved the last 8 times, there was always a goal in fist half 7 times.