St Pauli vs Wolfsburg – News and Probable Lineups

The upcoming encounter between St Pauli and Wolfsburg is set to provide an intense conclusion to the Bundesliga relegation battle at Millerntor-Stadion on Saturday.

Both sides are fighting for survival, with Kiezkicker urgently looking for their first win since February, while Die Wolfe aim to secure their second victory since January.

Match overview

St Pauli gained promotion to the top tier by clinching the 2.Bundesliga championship in the 2023-24 season, but after finishing 14th upon their return to the league, they now face relegation danger this term.

As the league approaches its final matchday, Alexander Blessin’s team is positioned at the bottom of the table. However, for the first time in 63 Bundesliga seasons, all three teams at the bottom are tied on points, allowing the Hamburg-based club a chance to reach the relegation playoff.

Nonetheless, Kiezkicker were recently defeated 2-1 by RB Leipzig, marking their fourth loss in five matches, with one of those being a troubling 2-0 shutout against Heidenheim on April 25.

This poor form places St Pauli as the least in-form team in the relegation contest, compounded by a goal difference that is now three goals worse than Wolfsburg’s – a potentially critical detail.

Essentially, Kiezkicker can only secure their playoff position with a win while Heidenheim loses, or they must outperform FCH’s winning margin should Mainz 05 best them.

Fans of the hosts may feel anxious, considering Blessin’s squad hasn’t clinched a full three points since a surprising 1-0 win over Hoffenheim on February 28 – representing a nine-game winless streak. However, some recall that four out of St Pauli’s six league victories this season have occurred at Millerntor-Stadion.

On the other hand, Wolfsburg has faced a challenging season, and the tension surrounding their final match reflects the turbulence of their campaign.

Head coach Dieter Hecking took over from Daniel Bauer in mid-March with aims of stabilizing the squad, but his efforts have fallen short of expectations.

Despite this, Wolfsburg’s recent 1-0 loss to champions Bayern Munich last weekend ended a streak of three unbeaten games. Although the club is now in a critical fight for survival, their renewed resilience has been encouraging.

The White and Greens currently occupy the Bundesliga’s relegation playoff position, and with a three-goal advantage in goal difference over their rivals – along with a better head-to-head record against Heidenheim – they should feel optimistic about advancing.

Wolfsburg merely needs to better FCH’s result to secure their playoff spot, given they maintain their goal-difference lead. With just one defeat in their last four away outings, the travelling fans are likely to have a sense of hope.

Team News

St Pauli will be missing several defenders, including centre-backs Karol Mets (muscle) and Jannik Robatsch (muscle), while another centre-back, David Nemeth (illness), is uncertain.

Adding to their woes, the hosts are without long-term absentee goalkeeper Simon Spari (ligament), and right wing-back Manolis Saliakas (groin).

With these considerations, Nikola Vasilj is expected to start in goal, protected by a trio consisting of Hauke Wahl, Eric Smith, and Tomoya Ando, likely supported by Arkadiusz Pyrka and Louis Oppie.

Additionally, loanee defensive midfielder James Sands is sidelined due to an ankle injury, while the more offensive Mathias Pereira Lage has a knee issue; meanwhile, Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, and Joel Chima Fujita should be ready to start behind strikers Martijn Kaars and Andreas Hountondji, with Ricky-Jade Jones (ankle) also out of action.

For Wolfsburg, they will be without centre-backs Jenson Seelt (knee) and Cleiton Santos (ankle), along with left-back Rogerio (ankle), while right-back Kilian Fischer (groin) is a doubt.

In their place, Hecking might choose Jeanuel Belocian, Denis Vavro, and Konstantinos Koulierakis in the backline, with Sael Kumbedi and Joakim Maehle functioning as wing-backs.

In the middle of the park, Maximilian Arnold (groin) and Bence Dardai (knee) are both expected to miss the final game of the season; versatile Patrick Wimmer is also dealing with a thigh injury, so Vinicius Souza, Christian Eriksen, and Lovro Majer are anticipated to start in midfield.

Up front, striker Jonas Wind is facing a thigh injury, but the strike partnership of Adam Daghim and Dzenan Pejcinovic will be ready to take the field on Saturday.

St Pauli probable starting XI:

Vasilj; Wahl, Smith, Ando; Pyrka, Metcalfe, Irvine, Fujita, Oppie; Hountondji, Candle

Wolfsburg probable starting XI:

Grabara; Belocian, Vavro, Koulierakis; Kumbedi, Majer, Vinicius, Eriksen, Maehle; Daghim, Pejcinovic

St Pauli have had difficulty securing victories in recent months, but their determination could help the team avoid yet another defeat.

Wolfsburg have also struggled to achieve wins since the beginning of the year, yet their recent resolve has improved, making them less likely to suffer a loss on Saturday.