VfB Stuttgart vs Wolfsburg preview - Hitzlsperger tips Stuttgart

Thomas Hitzlsperger has predicted a Stuttgart resurgence ahead of Saturday's game between two of his former clubs.

Hitzlsperger wore the red and white of Stuttgart from 2005 to 2010, winning the Bundesliga title with them in 2007.

He ended his career in 2013 with Everton having spent the previous season with Wolfsburg, who he has warned not to underestimate struggling Stuttgart at the Mercedes-Benz-Arena this weekend.

"Wolfsburg may be ahead of Stuttgart in the standings, but I still fancy Stuttgart for this one," former Germany midfielder Hitzlsperger told Stuttgart's website.

"Their last two games have been very important for morale, although they could do with conceding a few fewer goals.

"Hopefully Stuttgart have now got their most difficult time behind them.

"(Coach) Armin Veh knows the club well and he can certainly help stabilise them, but the players have got to apply themselves."

Wolfsburg are showing good form, with four wins in a row in the Bundesliga, and five in all taking into account Wednesday night's DFB-Pokal win over Heidenheim.

"If we show all the quality we have got, then we can carry this streak forward in Stuttgart," said Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking, whose side have the chance to move to within a point of league leaders Bayern Munich with victory.

"Stuttgart will know that they've got really strong opponents paying them a visit."

Hecking has doubts over the fitness of Ricardo Rodriguez, Josuha Guilavogui and Timm Klose for this, their fifth game in 15 days, which included a trip to Russia.

"We can cover our losses and don't have to make any emergency changes," added Hecking, whose side are back in action on Thursday against Krasnodar.