Stuttgart are having a miserable season in the Bundesliga, currently sitting in 17th place, with a dire 19 points from 23 games. In recent years, Stuttgart have been a force to be reckoned with, both domestically and in Europe, but look a totally different side this season, where they have impressed very little.
The Badden-Wurttemberg side appear to be showing no signs of improvement in recent fixtures either, gathering just four points from their last five Bundesliga fixtures. They looked likely to take the first leg, before Benfica rallied late on to win the match 2-1. In general, however, their European form this season has impressed intermittently, gaining big wins against Getafe and Odense, but still struggling in many games, often against sides they would usually be heavy favourites against.
VfB must approach the fixture with some much needed confidence and belief, but remain aware of the danger this strong Benfica side can present to them if they are to stand any hope of over-turning the 2-1 deficit that they carry into the game. Stuttgart can take some solace in the fact that their weekend game is against fellow bottom-half side Eintracht Frankfurt, but will need to use their strength in depth to stand any hope of winning both games.
Labbadia is under pressure to perform and save Stuttgart's season, and failure to reach the next stage of the Europa League will do very little to ease that pressure.
Break The Curse
Benfica, though always considered a threat to any side they should face, have never - in 18 attempts - picked up a win on German soil. Their first leg win will ease pressure somewhat, as a draw will be enough to see them through, but would have to be considered something of a hollow victory.
Facing a struggling Stuttgart side presents them a great opportunity to pick up their first win in Germany. It is not often that a side competing in Europe will hit such emphatically poor form, and O Glorioso must look to exploit the weaknesses in Labbadia's side.
The Portuguese side are enjoying a much better season, sitting in second place in the Portuguese Liga, albeit some distance from leaders Porto. They have been in emphatic form, winning their last ten games in succession, and they enjoyed a moderate group stage campaign in the Champions League, narrowly losing out on second place to Lyon.
The first leg of this tie was their first Europa League fixture of the season, and despite being on the back foot for much of the game, they were able to win the game. Question marks remain however: was it strength in character that allowed them to rally so late in the game, or just luck? However you read into it, Benfica will be delighted to carry the advantage into the home leg.
TEAM NEWS
Stuttgart
The home side will likely have to make do without Timo Gebhart, Christian Gentner and Arthur Boka, who are all sidelined through injury.
Benfica
Benfica's only notable absentee will be influential midfielder Javi Garcia, who is suspended for the match.
Prediction
Benfica's German curse looks unlikely to be lifted, against a German side that are likely to come out like a wounded animal. Stuttgart will be low on confidence, particularly with some key players missing the tie, and this one looks like a draw, which will be enough to see Benfica through to the next round.
VfB Stuttgart 1-1 Benfica 
