Stuttgart and Hoffenheim remained deadlocked for the seventh time in their last 12 head-to-head meetings, cancelling each other out in a 0-0 Bundesliga draw at the MHP Arena.

With just a single point separating the two sides, it was perhaps unsurprising that the first half was cagey and tightly contested, with much of the play confined to midfield.

Stuttgart, who had scored four goals in each of their previous two matches across all competitions, were the first to threaten midway through the half. Jamie Leweling cut inside from the left and unleashed a low effort that drifted narrowly wide of the near post. He remained the standout player in an otherwise low-quality first period, later delivering a looping cross that Nikolas Nartey headed down for Tiago Tomas, whose low half-volley was expertly saved by Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.

Hoffenheim struggled to create opportunities, failing to register a single shot on target before the break, and remained largely toothless after the restart. Stuttgart keeper Alexander Nubel was not tested until the 60th minute when he comfortably held a powerful volley from Albian Hajdari. Shortly after, Hajdari was involved in a controversial moment, fouling Tomas on the edge of the area immediately after receiving a yellow card for a separate incident.

From the resulting free-kick, Maximilian Mittelstadt’s powerful strike forced a reaction save from Baumann, and Akakan Karazor later headed wide. Despite a noticeable increase in tempo in the final stages, a goalless draw ultimately looked the most likely outcome. This match marked the first of Stuttgart’s last nine league games to produce fewer than three goals.

The result leaves Stuttgart in sixth place, having missed out on a home victory for only the third time in 11 attempts this season. Hoffenheim climb temporarily into the top four but remain winless in their last two Bundesliga away fixtures.