Both St Pauli and Wolfsburg are desperate for points in their Bundesliga clash at the Millerntor-Stadion this weekend. St Pauli, sitting in the relegation zone, are winless at home this season, while Wolfsburg are reeling from poor defensive form, conceding too many goals despite strong attacking performances.
A high-stakes battle looms, with both sides needing a win to steer clear of the relegation zone.
St Pauli Recent Form
St Pauli have had a challenging start to the season, picking up just one point from their three home games and sitting 16th in the table. Their overall Bundesliga form has been disappointing, with five losses in their first seven matches.
They recently suffered a 2-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, where a late winner for Dortmund denied St Pauli a crucial point.
Injury and team news
St Pauli are dealing with significant injury issues, particularly at the back. Soren Ahlers, Sascha Burchert, and Ben Alexander Voll are all out, with Nikola Vasilj starting in goal.
Connor Metcalfe, Elias Saad, and Simon Zoller are also sidelined, further complicating manager Alexander Blessin's options.
Last St Pauli Lineup
Here is how St Pauli lined up in their last match:
Wolfsburg Recent Form
Wolfsburg have also struggled this season, currently 13th in the standings. They’ve had no trouble scoring, with 15 goals in seven matches, but have conceded 16, highlighting their defensive frailties.
Last weekend, they were beaten 4-2 by Werder Bremen, despite leading at one point, showcasing their vulnerability in defending leads.
Injury and team news
Wolfsburg have a depleted squad, with several key players out. Bartosz Bialek, Lovro Majer, Lukas Nmecha, Kevin Paredes, Rogerio, Mattias Svanberg, and Aster Vranckx are all unavailable due to injury, while both Maximilian Arnold and Patrick Wimmer are suspended. Their absence will force Ralph Hasenhuttl into making significant changes to his lineup.
Last Wolfsburg Lineup
Here is how Wolfsburg lined up in their last match:
St Pauli Player To Watch
Jackson Irvine, St Pauli’s captain and midfield engine, will be key to his team’s hopes of securing points. His leadership and ability to control the tempo in midfield could be decisive, especially with St Pauli desperate for their first home win.
Wolfsburg Player To Watch
Jonas Wind, Wolfsburg’s top scorer, has been in excellent form, consistently finding the net despite his team's struggles. If Wolfsburg are to overcome their defensive issues and come away with a win, Wind will likely be the focal point in attack.
Prediction
Given St Pauli’s goal-scoring woes and Wolfsburg’s potent attack, this match could see Wolfsburg edging out a win. However, with both teams under pressure, expect a tense and competitive game.
Our Prediction: St Pauli 1-2 Wolfsburg
Betting Tips
Tip 1: Both teams to score
Despite St Pauli’s struggles, Wolfsburg’s leaky defence makes it likely that both teams will find the net.
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals
With Wolfsburg’s high-scoring matches and weak defence, expect this game to exceed 2.5 goals.
Tip 3: Wolfsburg to win
Wolfsburg’s better away form and St Pauli’s inability to win at home make an away victory a likely outcome.
