Recent Play Details

4% Stuttgart PK (9:30 AM ET): Entering Sunday, here is where we stand with the relegation battle in Germany. Hertha Berlin’s 2-2 draw against Bochum on Saturday resulted in the former being officially condemned. So that leaves one more automatic relegation spot and the relegation playoff spot still open. Four teams remain in danger of finishing in those two spots: Stuttgart, Schalke, Bochum and Augsburg. While I firmly believe Stuttgart to be the best team of that quartet, the reality is they are the ones sitting in the second automatic relegation spot and thus are desperately in need of points in these last two matches. 

Winning this week and next would guarantee Stuttgart’s survival for next season. Anything else and they are going to need favorable results elsewhere. They do have a vastly superior GD compared to Bochum and Schalke, which is key. But because both those teams picked up a point on Saturday, a draw here would do nothing for Stuttgart. A win would move them into 15th (based on GD)  and out of the relegation zone heading into the final match week. Given these circumstances, taking Stuttgart on the draw no bet line seems like a practical move. They’ve only lost once in the last six matches. They need the win and we’re “protected” in case of a draw (bet would result in a push). 

Mainz really has nothing to play for at this point. They still have an outside shot at finishing in the European places, but losing three straight has really dampened the mood. Even worse is that they’ve conceded three times in each of those three defeats, two of which were 3-0 losses to sides they are battling with for Europe (Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt) and the other to relegation-threatened Schalke (3-2) here at home. I’m on the record that Stuttgart will survive this season. 4% Stuttgart PK (Play to -130)