Will Stuttgart continue to sink?

The stakes are high for Stuttgart heading into Matchday 3. They have lost their opening two games, they sit joint-bottom (with opponents Olympique Lyonnais) of their group. Another loss for either side would make progress to the knockout rounds highly unlikely. Defender Ludovic Magnin and striker Ciprian Marica will miss the tie against Lyon on Tuesday with minor muscle injuries. Stuttgart has also struggled domestically. After winning the Bundesliga last season they are down in 12th place with 10 points, which includes a 2-0 defeat at home to Hanover 96 in their last match.

Lyon are also in a bit of trouble having suffered successive 3-0 defeats at the hands of Barcelona and Glasgow Rangers. They also suffered a slow start to the defense of their domestic league title. Unlike Stuttgart, Lyon have reversed their early domestic form and once again top the table with 22 points after 10 games played. They are now just ahead of their average in the past five season of 21.4 points after 10 games.

Both clubs will be in action this weekend and will be hoping to come through with maximum points and minimal injury problems. Of the two clubs, I would have to give the nod to Lyon in Matchday 3 but I will be keeping an eye on their domestic results over the weekend. Stuttgart face a tough away game on Saturday against Hamburg, who are in fourth place with 17 points. Lyon will also be in tough against a Monaco side looking to end a four game losing skid.