#B04VfB: match facts
It's a long time since Bayer 04 last suffered defeat against Stuttgart. Since the 1-0 reverse at home in April 2018, the Werkself have gone 15 games unbeaten - and will be hoping to continue that run in their third consecutive Saturday primetime Bundesliga clash. The Black-and-Reds can also take encouragement from their positive record after the winter break in recent years, having won their last three Bundesliga matches following the turn of the year. No other team in the German top flight boast a longer run of its kind. VfB, meanwhile, have won just one of their last five league encounters, whereas Kasper Hjulmand's side went into the winter break with back-to-back wins against 1. FC Köln (2-0) and RB Leipzig (3-1), while the injury situation is also ever improving.
the swabians analysed
"I feel that the lads are in good shape," summarised VfB head coach Sebastian Hoeneß after his team's 3-2 win in a friendly against Swiss top-flight side FC Luzern. Despite a slight rough patch in the league, Stuttgart are still in the quarter-finals of the cup and also on course for the round of 16 in the Europa League. The Swabians also welcome back burly forward Ermedin Demirovic for the trip to the BayArena, although Hoeneß is still missing a number of important players, including centre-back Ameen Al Dakhil (illness) and attacking hotshot Bilal El-Khannouss (Africa Cup). VfB will be doing everything to overcome their defensive problems against the top clubs in the league and impose their dominant style of play. More in our opposition analysis.
