Stuttgart vs St. Pauli prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-12-20 14:30.
[p]Stuttgart end 2024 by hosting St Pauli, knowing that a win would mark their first set of five successive victories since October 2023. Sebastian Hoeneß’ men have certainly entertained during their current run of strong form, scoring 3+ goals in their last four matches, and having been in the Bundesliga’s bottom half as recently as late November, they could now finish the calendar year in the top-five should results elsewhere go their way.[/p]
[p]While replicating their incredible second-placed finish from last season appears unlikely, a second successive season in Europe is certainly a realistic aim for the Swabians. They can bolster those hopes by extending an active ten-match unbeaten H2H run (W9, D1), though with the last four of those meetings coming in the second tier, this will be the first top-flight clash between the pair since March 2011![/p]
[p]By contrast, St Pauli, who were promoted in the summer to end a 13-year Bundesliga hiatus, are solely focused on staying up. That’s not been helped by a run of four defeats in their last five games (W1) to leave them just one point above the relegation zone, though head coach Alexander Blessin, who played for Stuttgart between 1997 and 1999, might be cautiously optimistic that his side can pick up a good result on Saturday.[/p]
[p]That’s because three of St Pauli’s four wins this season in league and cup have come away from home, including one at top-six opposition in the form of Freiburg. The Neighbourhood Kickers should keep things tight in any case as only three sides in the division boast a better defensive record (GA: 19), but their joint-league worst 11 goals scored at the other end presents a big problem.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Wing-back Josha Vagnoman has directly contributed to three goals in Stuttgart’s last two games (G1, A2), but he hasn’t been on the winning side in any of his four previous meetings with St Pauli (D1, L3). Potentially attacking down his flank, Morgan Guilavogui returns from suspension having netted in St Pauli’s last away game at Leverkusen (L 2-1), forming part of a four-match winless run on the road for his side on the day (D1, L3).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: There has been at least one goal in each of the last 13 halves involving Stuttgart. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]