Stuttgart vs Karlsruher Predictions

Stuttgart play host to Karlsruher on Sunday afternoon, as they look to consolidate their top-three position. The visitors go in search of a first win in four, though they’re now unbeaten in five league games and should thus be feeling confident.

After being relegated from Germany’s top division at the end of last season, in their quest for a quick turnaround, Stuttgart have done well this season. They’re not in the top two at present, but they’re only three points off. However, despite being in a promising league position, the form of the promotion-chasing side has waned of late. Tim Walter’s men have lost four of their last five matches.

Even at home, Stuttgart have found it tough to get results of late, losing two of their last three. Fortunately, when they were last in action at Mercedes-Benz Arena, they recorded a pleasing 3-1 win over Dresden. They’ve also won five out of seven at home.

In the final third, Stuttgart are undoubtedly one of 2. Bundesliga’s most powerful teams, especially at home, where they’re averaging 1.71 goals for. They’ve also created plenty of scoring opportunities, while they’re easily the best team in the division when it comes to shots for and touches inside the opposition box. Unfortunately, they’ve not covered themselves in defensive glory, which is why they’re not in the top two. Even at home, Stuttgart have conceded on a regular basis, shipping in six out of seven.

Karlsruher haven’t been great on their travels, though they’re not easy to beat, losing only two of their seven travelling matches this term. Where the visitors have fallen down is at the back, as they’ve shipped 13 times in seven away games. Only one team has conceded more away goals than Karlsruher this season, which doesn’t exactly bode well ahead of a match against a home team that has thrived offensively.

What Karlsruher have done is compete in the final third. In fact, it is their ability to score goals that has prevented them from tasting defeat in five out of seven away games this season. Based on what they’ve done defensively this season, the visitors are likely to struggle at Mercedes-Benz Arena, but there’s absolutely no reason as to why they cannot compete offensively.

In the betting, ‘Stuttgart to Win & Both Teams to Score’ catches the eye. For a start, both teams have scored in five of Stuttgart’s seven home games, as well as in six of Karlsruher’s seven away matches. Stuttgart’s rear-guard is certainly not the strongest in the division, while their defensive record, especially at home, points towards the visitors scoring. However, the hosts are the better team, the team that has a habit of winning games at home. Quite frankly, Karlsruher, although they can compete offensively, lack the defensive strength to get a result against one of the best attacking teams in the division. The fact that Stuttgart have an average shot supremacy of +7.14 at home, as well as Karlsruher having an average shot supremacy of -5.43 on the road, adds fuel to the selection.