VfB Stuttgart vs. Heidenheim preview: Hosts aim to break home curse

VFB Stuttgart will be aiming to end a winless run at home in the Bundesliga when they welcome relegation-threatened FC Heidenheim to the MHPArena on Friday evening.
VfB Stuttgart and Union Berlin made history with their 4-4 draw last week, as all eight goals were scored in a single half - an unprecedented feat in Bundesliga football.

While scoring goals hasn't been an issue for Stuttgart this season, head coach Sebastian Hoeness is concerned about the number of goals concede.

"We’re all working together to reduce the number of goals we've conceded," Hoeness said ahead of Friday’s game against Heidenheim, emphasizing that the key to success is “being solid defensively while remaining dangerous in attack.”

The Swabians will be eager to end their home struggles, having gone winless in their last five Bundesliga matches at the MHPArena ahead of Friday’s fixture.

“It’s not pleasant to read, but it makes it even more important that we deliver a strong performance on the pitch to secure the right result,” Hoeness added.

Team news
In addition to long-term absentees El Bilal, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Anrie Chase, Nikolas Nartey and Luca Raimund, Enzo Millot will miss the game for Stuttgart due to a muscle injury. Josha Vagnoman and Justin Diehl are still working on getting back to full fitness, but Jamie Leweling is fit again.