Stuttgart vs Werder Bremen preview - Stevens: Bremen is must-win

With all of the weekend's results known to them by the time they take to the field against Werder Bremen this Sunday, Stuttgart will be aware of exactly how important victory will be heading into the final six games of the season.

Even without what may be perceived as being an advantage of being last up, though, their coach Huub Stevens is in no two minds about how imperative it will be to win.

"Of course we all know that we have to win," said the Dutchman at a press conference. "We know we're under pressure, but so is everybody."

Stevens may be able to welcome Germany international defender Antonio Rudiger back into his side this weekend, four months after he suffered a knee injury.

However, Stevens does not want to take any risks on a player who could be crucial to them going into the final six games of the season.

"There are moments when the coach has got to take control of these things," he said.

"Toni is a young lad who's been out injured for a long while and now of course he wants to make an impact and help us.

"He's very motivated and I may just have to put the brakes on him a bit, but I prefer that than to have to motivate him.

"I've not decided yet whether he will play. A lot can still happen in training."

Stevens is otherwise spoilt for choice when it comes to picking his side, saying it's an "unusual situation" to have a fully-fit squad of players at such an advanced stage of the season.

Whoever he does send into action, they will do all they can to keep the points in Stuttgart, even if they have managed that only twice this season so far - something Bremen coach Viktor Skripnik is not reading too much into.

"Of course the statistics say they are weak at home, but I saw them recently against Frankfurt and they played a very good game," he said.

"They also held their own well against Wolfsburg for a while so it's going to be very tough for us, but we want the three points."