In the Bundesliga’s most finely balanced relegation battle in the league’s history, it is Paderborn and Stuttgart who are right in the thick of it.

Of the two, it is the vistors, who have been in the Bundesliga for 38 consecutive years and last won the Championship in 2007, who are in the best position; win and they are safe from relegation.

The way that the league is so finely poised, however, means that Die Schwaben will be absolutely desperate to claim all three points to escape the lottery of the permutations that could decide their fate if they don’t win.

The problem for Stuttgart is the fact they are away from home; having not lost at home since a 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in February, Huub Stevens’ men have been awful away from home, last tasting victory on the road in the penultimate match of the Hinrunde against Hamburg.

Having said that, Paderborn aren’t looking forward to it either, having won just four times at home all season. The fact Die Schwaben will be going into the game having won twice on the bounce (the second being over fellow strugglers Hamburg) compared to Paderborn’s two losses, means the nerves will be well and truly jangling for the Bundesliga newboys on Saturday’s winner-takes-all scrap.

LAST TIME OUT:

In their first ever meeting in the German top flight, Paderborn went away from Stuttgart with a point after a drab 0-0. Stuttgart’s Sven Ulreich had to be at his best to deny Uwe Hünemeier after his header from a free kick, whilst the home side only went close to scoring when Paderborn’s Daniel Brückner headed against his own post, after an incredible mixup with his goalkeeper Lukas Kruse.

TEAM NEWS:

Daniel Brückner is suspended after picking up a yellow card against Schalke, taking his season tally to five.  Thomas Bertels, Marvin Ducksch and Alban Meha will all be missing from the Paderborn team from the game on Saturday with injuries.

Stuttgart has much less of a worry injury-wise, and bar Carlos Gruezo head north with their full squad available.

WHAT THEY SAID:

Stuttgart’s manager Huub Stevens has told his squad to focus ahead of the game, explaining “If we win, then we know that we have definitely achieved our goal.

“With that in mind, we need focus solely on ourselves. The lads know what is required of them.”

The Dutchman also told the reporters at his press conference that he expects a different Paderborn to the team Die Schwaben faced in December, saying “I can well imagine that Paderborn are a more mature side compared to the team we faced in the first half of the season.”

Stuttgart’s former goalkeeper has also been speaking to the media positively, telling Sky Sports News “For a long time it looked like they (Stuttgart) were almost dead and buried and heading for the second tier.”

“At one point it seemed like there was no hope - especially considering the home form.

“But they've bounced back phenomenally and have a created a very reasonable situation going into the final day.”

Andre Breitenreiter, meanwhile, rallied the troops ahead of the do-or-die clash telling reporters, “We're ready. We have faith in our strengths. My boys always stand up again, even when nobody else believes in them.

“Apart from when we faced Bayern, we had a chance of beating everyone else we've played at home. The coaching staff and players are a very close-knit bunch."

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Paderborn: Kruse, Heinloth, Strohdiek, Hünemeier, Hartherz, Bakalorz, Vrancic, Koc, Rupp, Stoppelkamp and Lakic

Stuttgart: Ulreich, Schwaab, Rüdiger, Baumgartl, Klein, Gentner, Serey Die, Harnik, Didavi, Kostic and Ginczek