It's third vs 11th in the Bundesliga this weekend as VFL Wolfsburg entertain  Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Volkswagen Arena this Saturday. 

Wolfsburg come into this match off the back of a shock three goal to one defeat against ninth place TSG Hoffenheim.

The result meant that Wolfsburg dropped from first place to third following wins for Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, however, they are only three points behind Bayern meaning a win against Gladbach could potentially put them back leading the Bundesliga. However, they have a significantly worse goal difference than both Bayern and Leverkusen.

In contrast, Gladbach got a shock one goal to nil win against Borussia Dortmund. 

The result meant that Gladbach jumped from 16th and seemingly in danger to 11th and only three points behind FSV Mainz in sixth. It means that if they win on Saturday and results go their way, they could find themselves sitting in sixth place and closing in on a European qualification place.

Team news

Wolfsburg head coach Mark Van Bommel has four major injury concerns ahead of the match on Saturday, Xavier Schlage, Paulo Otavio, William, and Bartosz Bialek are all set to miss out however Kevin Mbabu should be available following his recovery from a leg injury.

Meanwhile, Adi Hutter has got far fewer injury concerns than the week before against Dortmund. Stefan Lainer, Mamadou Doucoure, Marcus Thuram, and Rami Bensebaini are all doubtful to start however Matthias Ginter should be available again following his recovery from Covid.

Predicted Lineups

VFL olfsburg: Casteels, Russillon, Lacroix, Brooks, Baku, Steffen, Guilavogui, Phillip, Nmecha, Weghorst

Borussia Monchengladbach: Sommer, beyer, Ginter, Elvedi, Scally, Neuhaus, Kramer, Stindl, Herrman, Wolf, Plea

Players to watch

Wout Weghorst

Despite Wolfsburg's stunning start to this season, they have only so far managed to score 8 goals this season with the majority of these being scored by their 6ft 6 dutch striker Wout Weghorst.

Weghorst had a very good season last year managing to score 25 goals in 41 games which made him the club's outright top scorer with no one able to get near him.

So far this season he has only scored three goals and Wolfsburg will be hoping he regains his goalscoring form in time for the match on Saturday afternoon.

Dennis Zakaria

Following a disappointing eigth place finish last season Gladbach hoped to start this season brilliantly however they have made a slow start but one bright spark has been midfielder, Denis Zakaria. Who was linked with a move away in the summer.

So far this season Zakaria has managed to get himself two goals but has also played a crucial role in making sure that Gladbach do not find themselves in a worse position in the table.

With the likes of Weghorst and Felix Nmecha likely to play on Saturday Gladbach will need Zakaria to be at his best.

Last time out

The last time these two played each other was in February in what was a very entertaining and high quality nil-nil draw.

 Wolfsburg started the match quickly and got their first big chance in the second minute however Mbabu put his header wide of the far post following a brilliant delivery from Ridle Baku.

Wolfsburg got another chance in the seventh minute this time it was Maximillian Arnold with the cross with Mbabu again getting on the end of it however he couldn't put his header into the Gladbach goal.

The rest of the half was very cagey with neither team taking any great risk however Gladbach got a chance to take the lead just before halftime. Alassane Plea passed the ball into Valentino Lazaro who's shot from outside the box just missed the Wolfsburg goal.

Gladbach started the second half much quicker and almost got a goal two minutes after the restart. Christoph Kramer's shot from outside the box was brilliantly saved by Koen Casteels in the Wolfsburg goal.

Gladbach got another big chance in the 52nd minute, this time it was Lars Stindl that went close. Stindl received the ball in the box however his low-driven shot towards the bottom right-hand corner was saved.

Wolfsburg got a chance to win it in the dying moments when in the 90th minute Schlage received the ball on the edge of the Gladbach penalty area, however, his shot went past the far post and wide.

How to watch

Unfortunately the match will not be shown live in the UK however, fans in the US will be able to watch match via ESPN +.


 

 

 

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