Defence versus attack as Darmstadt welcome Stuttgart

31.03.2016

Contrasting styles will be on display when SV Darmstadt 98 welcome VfB Stuttgart to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on Saturday (kick-off 15:30CEST/13:30GMT), with both teams needing maximum points to pull clear of the relegation zone.

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Darmstadt typically adopt a safety-first approach, preferring to sit deep and catch opponents out on the counter-attack. It has brought them some success this season - such as the 1-1 draw away to VfL Wolfsburg on Matchday 27 - but it has not been as effective at home, where they have won just once all term. Now just one point above 17th place, the hosts need a change of fortunes if they are to stay in the Bundesliga next season.

Watch: Wolfsburg 1-1 Darmstadt – match highlights

Stuttgart are only marginally better off in 11th place, but have improved greatly since Jürgen Kramny took over as head coach at the end of November 2015. With an emphasis on pressing early and getting forward at every opportunity, the Swabians have hit 43 goals so far in 2015/16, a tally bettered by only four other teams.