STUTTGART HOST HAMBURG IN BUNDESLIGA RELEGATION PLAYOFF FIRST LEG. PREDICTION

The first leg of the Bundesliga relegation playoff is here and Stuttgart will hope to draw first blood against Hamburg on Thursday.

The home team finished the Bundesliga season in 16th place despite an impressive run in their final league games.

Stuttgart have been in the Bundesliga for the past 3 years but all this could come to an end during these playoffs.

Hamburg on the other hand finished Bundesliga 2 in third place despite boasting the best away record in the division.

It has been 5 years since Hamburg last played in the Bundesliga and they are desperate to find a way back into the top flight.

Hamburg also had the best-attacking record in the 2. Bundesliga this season, scoring 70 goals in 34 games.

History favours the Bundesliga side in the relegation playoffs, as the top-tier club have retained their status in 18 of the last 24 seasons.

Who will get a positive result in the first leg of the playoffs? Click here to place your bet on the game.

What time does Stuttgart vs Hamburg start?

The game kicks off at 20:45pm CET at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

Stuttgart vs Hamburg head to head

The two teams have a long-standing rivalry, meeting 117 times across ompetitions since 1937. Stuttgart lead with 47 wins, compared to Hamburg with 46.

Stuttgart vs Hamburg current form

The visitors come into the game on a three-match winning streak and have only lost once in their last five games.

The home team on the other hand have managed just one win in that time, losing two others.

Stuttgart vs Hamburg prediction

With top flight status for next season on the line, this should be a cagey affair. However, the home team are tipped as favourites to get a narrow first leg win.