The record from the VfB view-point:
Total: 63 games, 22 wins, 16 draws, 25 defeats, 82:75 goal-difference
Home: 31 games, 17 wins, 9 draws, 5 defeats, 60:23 goal-difference
Away: 32 games, 5 wins, 7 draws, 20 defeats, 22:52 goal-difference
Last meeting
The last clash between the two sides at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in February 2016 ended in a 2-0 victory for the Cannstatt Boys.
Beginning of an era
Captain Christian Gentner made his Bundesliga debut against Hertha BSC on February 20th, 2005. The Wasenelf won the tie 1-0 in front of their home fans, with Cacau scoring what proved to be the golden goal on the day. This Saturday afternoon, Christian Gentner is set to make his 332nd Bundesliga appearance.
Prodigal Son
Mario Gomez returns to his old haunting ground after eight and a half years away. The striker wore the shirt with the infamous red hoop between 2001 and 2009, breaking into the Bundesliga team in 2005. In 121 league games, the goal-getter found the net for the Cannstadt Boys on 63 occasions.
Familiar faces
Striker Vedad Ibisevic made 86 Bundesliga appearances for VfB between January 2012 and summer 2015, scoring 33 goals. Julian Schieber made his way through the Wasenelf youth teams through into the Bundesliga side. Between 2006 and 2012, with a one year respite, the front man laced up his boots on Mercedesstraße. In 49 Bundesliga games, Schieber scored six goals for VfB.
Historical
In their very first home game in the Bundesliga, VfB hosted Hertha from Berlin. The game on the second match-day of the 1963/1964 season ended in a 2-0 win for the home side.
