Stuttgart surged to the top of the Bundesliga by winning 3-2 at Bochum, moving past Schalke, who lost 2-0 at Borussia Dortmund in the next-to-last round on Saturday.
Stuttgart can seal their first title in 15 years next Saturday with a win at home against Energie Cottbus.
"What a great day for us. We are on a roll and we are in a good position, but we have to be careful," said Thomas Hitzlsperger, who scored one of Stuttgart's goals.
Werder Bremen squandered their hopes of snatching the title when they lost 2-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, who saved themselves from relegation.
Schalke, seeking their first title in 49 years, surrendered the lead after 13 games and now must hope for a home win over Arminia Bielefeld next week and Stuttgart to lose.
"We must win at home next week and hope for the best, that's the only thing we can do," Schalke coach Mirko Slomka said. "But it's hard to believe that we can still win it. We didn't manage to create enough chances today."
Stuttgart, who twice rallied against Bochum, go into the final round with 67 points and riding a seven-game winning streak.
Schalke have 65 and Bremen 63. Stuttgart are also in the German Cup final and the young team can complete an unexpected double.
Alemannia Aachen, who drew 2-2 against Wolfsburg, and Mainz, who beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-0, look likely to join Moenchengladbach in dropping to the second division.
Stuttgart got off to a poor start in Bochum, going down to a goal by Oliver Schroeder after four minutes. Bundesliga's leading scorer, Fanis Gekas, was the provider this time, and Schroeder netted from close range.
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