Record against Dortmund
Overall: 119 games. 46 wins, 25 draws, 48 defeats. 193:206 goal difference.
In the Bundesliga: 108 games. 42 wins, 25 draws, 41 defeats. 178:186 goal difference.
Current form
VfB claimed their first Bundesliga win of the season last weekend with a 3-1 success at Borussia Mönchengladbach. During the week, Stuttgart made their UEFA Champions League comeback and lost 3-1 to holders Real Madrid in a thrilling contest.
BVB were also winners on Matchday 3, beating 1. FC Heidenheim 4-2. Their other league win also came at home against Eintracht Frankfurt (2-0). In the Champions League, the Black and Yellows triumphed 3-0 at Club Brugge on Wednesday.
Reunions galore
With goalkeepers Gregor Kobel and Alexander Meyer, Serhou Guirassy and Waldemar Anton, BVB have four former VfB players in their squad.
Meanwhile, no fewer than five VfB players have a Dortmund past: Dan-Axel Zagadou, Pascal Stenzel, Atakan Karazor, Chris Führich and Stefan Drljaca.
What the coaches say
Sebastian Hoeneß, VfB head coach: “You don’t often get to play both UEFA Champions League finalists one after the other. We want to put in a good performance against Dortmund. They’re a good team who really strengthened over the summer. We’re up for the challenge.”
Nuri Sahin, BVB head coach: “Stuttgart are a team with a clear philosophy. Sebastian Hoeneß has had a big influence on the team, their ideas are clear. They’re getting going now and are a strong team. We’re travelling to Stuttgart with the aim of winning the game. That’s how we’re judged. We want to put in a different performance to the one there last season.”
Team news
Giovanni Reyna is out for the visitors with a groin strain.
Justin Diehl (dislocated shoulder), Leonidas Stergiou, Niko Nartey and Ameen AlDakhilare all unavailable for the BVB match.
Crowd
The MHP Arena is sold out for this match.