The Bundesliga's cellar-dwelling SV Darmstadt 98 have it all to do in gameweek 22's clash with third-placed Stuttgart, keen to end a wretched run in Saturday's game at Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor.
The struggling side are nine points shy of escaping danger, while the visitors seek a fourth straight league victory this weekend.
Match preview
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Darmstadt's survival fate hangs in the balance despite the 2023-24 Bundesliga season still having three months left to play, owing to the bottom club's inability to secure wins.
The Lilies gained promotion at the backend of last season, but just two victories on their top-flight return leaves Torsten Lieberknecht's side four points adrift of Koln, occupying the relegation playoff spot and nine shy of a Union Berlin side they must target to escape danger.
Only second-bottom Mainz 05 have won fewer games than Darmstadt's two, with the bottom side's leaky rearguard contributing to an extended run without securing a win in the competition since October.
The Lilies claimed back-to-back wins over Werder Bremen and Augsburg but have since secured five points from an available 42, resulting in their league position.
It remains to be seen how this weekend plays out for the division's worst side after 21 games, but four losses in their last five in front of their fans inspire little confidence.
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Stuttgart have been rampant in the league since the initial wobble at the turn of the year, picking up three victories, scoring 11 and conceding four.
This has been achieved without Serhou Guirassy's involvement, with the Guinea striker unavailable due to Africa Cup of Nations duty with Syli National.
Denis Undav carried the can in Guirassy's absence, and the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee hopes to keep firing despite the main centre-forward returning after AFCON 2023 duty.
Sebastian Hoeness's men are unlikely to compete for the title — they are seven adrift of Bayern Munich and 12 behind undefeated leaders Bayer Leverkusen — but have Champions League qualification to protect, as Borussia Dortmund and out-of-form RB Leipzig trail with three and five points, respectively.
Stuttgart have not played out draws in any road game this term (five wins and as many defeats in 10), and Die Schwaben returning to winning ways in their last away game at Freiburg should motivate ahead of Saturday's visit.
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Team News
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Lieberknecht has several absences, with Mathias Honsak (calf), Fraser Hornby (ankle), Braydon Manu (ankle), Clemens Riedel (ankle) and Aaron Seydel (calf) injured, while Tim Skarke and Matej Maglica are suspended.
Tough-and-go for Darmstadt are Gerrit Holtmann (muscle) and Tobias Kempe and Thomas Isherwood, both suffering illnesses.
Alexander Nubel is not expected back for Stuttgart until early March, while Nikolas Nartey and Dan-Axel Zagadou have knee injuries, with the latter not expected back until next season.
Undav has netted in his last three Bundesliga outings, including his first hat-trick in the competition against Leipzig in late January, and the Brighton loanee should play a pivotal role in Saturday's outcome.
SV Darmstadt 98 possible starting lineup:
Schuhen; Zimmermann, Gjasula, Klarer; Bader, Franjic, Holland, Karic; Justvan, Mehlem; Polter
Stuttgart possible starting lineup:
Bredlow; Stenzel, Anton, Ito, Mittelstadt; Karazor, Stiller; Leweling, Millot, Fuhrich; Undav
We say: SV Darmstadt 98 1-3 Stuttgart
Stuttgart are superior to the struggling bottom club and should secure their sixth away league victory in the encounter.
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