Stuttgart's pressure can turn a loose first pass into an immediate box entry. Gladbach's wing backs still offer a way to escape and attack the space behind the home fullbacks. The central receiving group has changed since Gladbach's last match, which makes that first escape harder to sustain. The game hinges on whether Gladbach can connect their first outlet to a forward before Stuttgart recover the ball.
Stiller can release Undav or Leweling after a high regain, and Stuttgart kept creating chances even in the defeat at Hamburg. Scally and Ullrich have played full recent matches and can carry Gladbach wide, but the next central contact is thinner: Lidberg played against Hoffenheim and is now out, while Kleindienst, Honorat and Kuehn remain absent. Machino has only had short recent substitute spells; Stuttgart's Assignon played after Vagnoman's injury, so the home right side still has an active option. I expect Stuttgart to press the opening exchanges and make Gladbach work through several passes before reaching the box. That's why I'm siding with Stuttgart to keep Gladbach from scoring.
