Moussa Niakhate of Mainz, left, in a duel with Dortmund's Jude Bellingham battle for the ball during the Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and FSV Mainz 05 at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday Jan. 16, 2021. Leon Kuegeler | Pool via Associated Press

Bet Bundesliga! Miller picks the Friday match of the day: VfB Stuttgart vs Mainz 05

VfB Stuttgart vs. Mainz 05, 2:30 pm EST on ESPN+

Pride of Columbia University Pellegrino Matarazzo tries to turn around the fortunes of VfB Stuttgart

When I was at Columbia University, one of my jobs was to work security at the Rocco B. Commisso Stadium, where Emmet Austin, Rikki Dadason, and the rest of the Lions men’s soccer team ran rampant for the better part of my time.

One of the players who was there at the end of my time was Pellegrino Matarazzo, who is now the head coach for VfB Stuttgart.

His side got off to a great start in the Bundesliga, but has fallen on tougher times of late, with just one win in seven. But with Mainz 05 visiting today, without key midfield players through injury, you would have to think Stuttgart can return to its high scoring ways.

Look for Stuttgart to get that elusive win, and start climbing back up the table towards a European spot.

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GERMANY BUNDESLIGA

VfB Stuttgart (-135) vs. Mainz 05 (+370), draw (+290), 2:30 p.m. EST (ESPN+)

THE PICKS:

Stuttgart over 2 goals (-105)

Stuttgart -0.75 (-105)

Bundesliga