Stuttgart take on RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with both sides hoping 2021 will be as successful as the previous year proved to be.
Indeed, Stuttgart currently sit seventh in the table upon their return to Germany's top flight, with Leipzig still firmly in the hunt for their first ever Bundesliga title.
Match preview
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Despite an excellent first campaign back in the Bundesliga so far, Pellegrino Matarazzo will have been disappointed by his side's 1-0 loss at Wolfsburg prior to the winter break.
It was a particularly sickening defeat given the nature of the match-winning goal, with Josip Brekalo's second-half free kick taking two wicked deflections to wrong-foot Gregor Kobel. Silas Wamangituka and particularly Nicolas Gonzalez were also guilty of missing gilt-edged chances, although Wout Weghorst should also have converted from close range for the hosts early on.
It was a real six pointer for both sides, with Wolfsburg's win taking them into fourth place and six points clear of Stuttgart in the table, leaving any outside hopes of a miraculous Champions League qualification challenge looking unlikely for the promoted outfit.
A European spot is certainly not out of the question, though, given the form of the likes of Gonzalo Castro, Gonzalez and Wamangituka this season. Matarazzo must ensure his players remain motivated and hungry for further success.
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Despite a hugely successful year, which saw Leipzig reach the semi-finals of the Champions League and qualify for the knockout stages for the second successive season, Julian Nagelsmann will have been left with a bitter taste in his mouth over Christmas after his side's 0-0 draw at home to FC Koln denied them staying level on points with league leaders Bayern Munich.
Amadou Haidara twice thought he had given his side the lead, but his stinging effort was superbly denied by Timo Horn, before the midfielder's close-range finish was disallowed due to Marcel Sabitzer being offside in the build-up phase. Angelino subsequently raced through in trademark fashion but was denied extending his superb goalscoring tally for the campaign by another excellent Horn save.
Leipzig struggled to create many clear chances in the second half, but Kevin Kampl was particularly wasteful from 12 yards after unselfish play from Christopher Nkunku laid a chance on a plate for the midfielder. However, Germany international Horn had one last world-class save in him, with defender Willi Orban denied from close range in the dying stages of the game.
Nagelsmann will be hoping his side can get back on track in the New Year, as they cannot afford too many dropped points in that fashion if they are to keep pace with Bayern.
Stuttgart Bundesliga form: DLWWDL
Stuttgart form (all competitions): LWWDLW
RB Leipzig Bundesliga form: DWDWWD
RB Leipzig form (all competitions): DWWWDW
Team News
Stuttgart's injury list continues to be one of the lengthier ones in the division, with Erik Thommy, Clinton Mola, Maxime Awoudja, Hamadi Al Ghaddioui and Momo Cisse all unlikely to feature against Leipzig.
Sasa Kalajdzic, who has scored five league goals this season, will be hoping for a start, having mainly been utilised from the bench prior to the winter break.
Leipzig, meanwhile, remain without long-term absentees Fabrice Hartmann, Konrad Laimer and Benjamin Henrichs, but Lukas Klostermann could be available once again after recovering from a knee injury.
Justin Kluivert and Nkunku are doubts due to calf and ankle problems respectively.
Stuttgart possible starting lineup:
Kobel; Mavropanos, Anton, Kempf; Wamangituka, Mangala, Endo, Castro, Sosa; Coulibaly, Gonzalez
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulasci; Mukiele, Upamecano, Konate, Halstenberg; Haidara, Sabitzer; Olmo, Forsberg, Angelino; Poulsen
We say: Stuttgart 1-2 RB Leipzig
With Stuttgart failing to win at home so far this season, we can envisage a narrow victory for Leipzig.
Nagelsmann's side should be refreshed after the winter break, with his side pressing on the front foot from minute one to 90.
