Hansa Rostock vs Stuttgart II - 3. Liga

The 3. Liga returns to the home ground on May 9, 2026, where Hansa Rostock and Stuttgart II will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. The 25-year-old suffered the injury after an inadvertent clash with his own team-mate as he and Mathias Olivera both challenged for possession late in the first half.

The standings paint a clear picture: Hansa Rostock in 5th, Stuttgart II in 14th, and both keen to climb. Hansa Rostock have held their own of late, WLDWL in their last five reflecting a steady win rate of 40%. On their travels the visitors have been workmanlike, LLWLL in their last five and a win rate of 40% to show for it. Goals could be in short supply or plentiful — Hansa Rostock average 2.2 per game to Stuttgart II's 1.4, and that gap may dictate the rhythm of the contest. Newcastle had agreed a deal worth £49m for the Switzerland international, who was a breakout star at the World Cup as he scored three goals in their run to the quarter-finals.

Set-piece efficiency and transition play often decide fixtures of this nature, and both managers will have been drilling those phases on the training ground. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) According to Fabrizio Romano, Man United 'are not proceeding' with a move for the Brighton midfielder.

In fixtures as finely poised as this one, it often comes down to who holds their nerve in the big moments — and both camps have players who relish that responsibility. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Everton also want to sign a striker as they search for a more consistent source of goals with neither Thierno Barry nor Beto delivering on that front so far.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. On balance, Hansa Rostock look well-placed to claim all three points, and a 2-1 home win would not come as a surprise. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the 3. Liga standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. Joe Gomez is expected to miss the start of Liverpool's Premier League campaign through injury - but it is not likely to impact the Reds' transfer plans.