Top spot in Stuttgart's sights

A home win against demoralised Hamburger SV tonight could take VfB Stuttgart top of the Bundesliga, provided leaders Werder Bremen slip up at 1. FC Nürnberg.

Southern comfort
Under the leadership of coach Armin Veh, the southern German side have impressed neutrals with some astute signings and an admirable commitment to young players. Recent 3-0 home wins against Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Schalke 04 spoke volumes for the team Veh has built alongside sporting director Horst Heldt.

Landmark signing
Former Stuttgart player Heldt was the man who brought Germany Under-21 right-back Roberto Hilbert from second division Spvgg Greuther Fürth last summer - and he and Veh have been rewarded for their faith in youth, with Hilbert being among the Stuttgart colts to put in thoroughbred displays this season.

Prolific scoring
Second-placed Stuttgart have the second-best attacking record in the Bundesliga, having scored 21 goals as opposed to Bremen's 28. And though Brazilian striker Cacau, a significant threat, is injured, stand-ins like Switzerland forward Marco Streller have deputised admirably. Indeed, in Saturday's 4-2 victory at TSV Alemannia Aachen, Stuttgart looked more like seasoned European campaigners than a side in transition. Ivory Coast full-back Artur Boka and his Mexico counterpart Ricardo Osorio have caught the eye along with another Mexican international, anchorman Pavel Pardo.

Academy graduates
Further forward, 21-year-old Mario Gomez has shone with six goals in nine league outings, while fellow academy products in defender Serdar Tasci and midfielder Sami Khedira, both 19, are adapting well to the demands of Bundesliga football in their first senior terms.

Veh wary
Success against injury-ravaged Hamburg certainly seems possible, although Veh is urging caution. "HSV have a big team as far as big names are concerned," he said. "They have a strong side and it is going to be hard work. We mustn't be blinded by their bad results." Hamburg are fourth from bottom in the table and travel in hope, rather than expectation, of a second Bundesliga win of the season. A brave man would bet on them getting it tonight.