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VfB Stuttgart vs. RB Leipzig
The Bundesliga opener is just around the corner. In the opening match on Friday, Frankfurt and Bayern will face each other, and on Saturday, after the conference, there will also be the top match between Dortmund and Leverkusen (click here for Dortmund – Leverkusen tip). On Sunday, VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig will finally get underway. The match kicks off at 15:30 in Stuttgart’s Mercedes-Benz Arena, and you can find our prediction for the match in the following Stuttgart vs Leipzig tip.
Both teams start this season with completely different objectives. For the hosts from Stuttgart, the only thing that counts in the third season after re-promotion is to stay in the league, which was only secured on the final matchday last year. On the other hand, the Champions League is the minimum goal for RB Leipzig. The Saxons have had a terrific second half of the season under Domenico Tedesco and, ideally, would even like to try and upset Bayern a little.
Stuttgart vs Leipzig info
– Date & Time: 07.08.2022, at 15:30 hrs.
– Venue: Stuttgart, Mercedes-Benz Arena
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 1
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Stuttgart Form & Balance Check
Stuttgart saved themselves from relegation in cinematic fashion last season. In a dramatic final spurt, VfB avoided relegation after all, first earning a 2-2 draw against Bayern and then a last-minute win over Cologne on the final matchday. Wataru Endo’s goal in injury time secured Stuttgart a 15th place finish, which was hardly thought possible. After a full season in a relegation battle, this was absolute redemption for VfB, who will probably only fight to stay in the relegation zone again in the new season.
Small victory in Dresden
However, the predicted sell-out of star players has not yet happened. Especially Sasa Kalajdzic and Borna Sosa have been the subject of various rumours throughout the season, and both are currently still in Stuttgart. In terms of sport, however, only the departures of Orel Mangala (for € 13 million to Nottingham) and Omar Marmoush (return to VfL Wolfsburg after end of loan) have been relevant so far. On the other hand, Vagnoman, Pfeiffer and Perea were inexpensive newcomers. The former was also in the starting eleven in the first match at Dynamo Dresden, where Churlinov’s goal in the 1:0 victory gave the Bundesliga club a ticket to the next cup round.
Stuttgart facts & analysis
– Finished 15th in the Bundesliga last season.
– Last won in the cup with 1:0 against Dresden
– 3rd season in Bundesliga after being promoted again
Leipzig Form & Balance Check
RB Leipzig are in for an exciting season. Under Domenico Tedesco, the Saxons were the best team in the Bundesliga in the last second half of the season and also won the DFB Cup. RB wants to build on this enormously successful first half with Tedesco in the new season. Should this succeed, all doors will be open to the talented team. Fourth place last season also means another run at the Champions League, for which Leipzig has further refined the team. All the key players have stayed on board so far, on the other hand the bloated squad could be reduced in the right places.
Nkunku’s loyalty is Leipzig’s best gift
In particular, the contract extension including the pledge of loyalty of Christopher Nkunku was one of the most important personnel matters of the summer. In addition, Xaver Schlager and David Raum, two promising players from Bundesliga rivals, are expected to play a central role. The first test of the season was against FC Bayern in the Supercup last Saturday. Here, however, it became clear that there is still a certain gap between the two teams. The Bavarians won 5:3, while Halstenberg, Nkunku and Olmo scored for Leipzig.
Leipzig facts & analysis
– Finished 4th in the Bundesliga last season.
– Last lost in the Supercup with 3:5 against Bayern
– Reached the Champions League in 5 of 6 Bundesliga seasons
Predicted line-up – last updated on 5 August 2022
Stuttgart coach Pellegrino Matarazzo switched to a four-man system at the end of last season’s campaign but is now likely to revert to the usual three-man backline, as he did at Dresden. Sosa and Karazor are not yet options due to their lack of training, which means that the first eleven almost forms itself.
On the Leipzig side, Tedesco also continues to rely on the three-man backline, although some positions are hotly contested. At right back, Simakan is an alternative to Klostermann, while on the left, Gvardiol is likely to remain on the bench for the time being after his injury. We also believe that David Raum will make his debut on the left, while Angelino, who is willing to switch, is probably no longer first choice. On the offensive side, Haidara, Schlager, Szoboszlai and Forsberg are also possible alternatives.
Stuttgart – Leipzig direct comparison & Statistics
As mentioned above, the direct comparison between Stuttgart and Leipzig is clearly in favour of the visitors. Stuttgart have not won any of their eight games so far, while Leipzig have won seven. Another match ended in a draw. Stuttgart also scored only one goal against RB in these eight games.
– Last season, RB Leipzig won both matches against VfB Stuttgart (4-0 at home and 2-0 away).
– The most common result between VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig is 0-2. 3 matches ended like this.
– The average number of goals scored in a VfB Stuttgart vs RB Leipzig clash is 2.6.
– The average number of goals scored in the first half in matches between VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig is 0.8.
