VfB Stuttgart – RB Leipzig
The Bundesliga continues and the tension in the top flight could not be greater. While the three top chasers at the top of the table – Bayern, Stuttgart and Leipzig – failed to score last weekend, Bayer Leverkusen have taken what feels like a big step towards the championship. But it’s not all evening yet, as there are still a few games to go. On this 19th matchday, two of the runners-up will go head-to-head on Saturday afternoon when VfB Stuttgart host RB Leipzig. Find out who will win this top match and who will come away empty-handed in our Stuttgart – Leipzig betting tip.
Stuttgart disappointingly lost out to relegation candidates Bochum recently. The team also suffered a defeat against Gladbach two weeks ago. The Leipzig Bulls also go into this clash with two Bundesliga defeats in a row. They lost in the last minute to leaders Leverkusen last weekend in a match that more than deserved the name “top match”.
As a result, the resurgent Dortmund are breathing down the necks of both teams and the battle for the Champions League places is in full swing. The winner of this game will secure third place, while the loser runs the risk of dropping out of the qualification places for the top flight.
Stuttgart – Leipzig info
- Date & Time: 27.01.2024, 3:30 pm
- Playing venue: MHPArena, Stuttgart
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 19
- TV broadcast: Sky
Stuttgart Form & Balance Check
With two defeats in a row, it is not yet time to speak of a crisis in Stuttgart. Nevertheless, VfB have picked up just one win from their last five games. The team led by coach Sebastian Hoeneß is currently in third place in the table with 34 points. The leaders from Leverkusen have already pulled away to 14 points. From Stuttgart’s point of view, it is therefore more important to stay in the top four in order to crown their strong season with Champions League participation at the end.
However, BVB, currently in fifth place, are only one point behind and could overtake VfB on this matchday in the event of a defeat or draw. However, the Swabians can go into this game with confidence, as they are unbeaten in six games at home, including two wins against BVB in the league and cup, as well as a draw against Leverkusen.
Star striker missing
Stuttgart’s top scorer Serhou Guirassy is sorely missed these days. The Guinean, who is currently playing for his home country at the Africa Cup, traveled to the tournament with an injury, but recently celebrated his comeback in Guinea’s match against Senegal. The nation is still in the tournament as the best third-placed team after the group stage, so it is not yet clear when Guirassy will return to Stuttgart.
The striker already has 17 goals to his name this season and has contributed one assist. This makes him the second-best striker in the league behind superstar Harry Kane at the moment and makes him difficult for the Swabians to replace. In the last two games without him, Stuttgart scored just one measly goal
Stuttgart facts & analysis
- VfB Stuttgart have not lost any of their last 8 home games.
- VfB Stuttgart’s home record this season: 7 wins – 1 draw – 1 defeat.
- A year ago, VfB Stuttgart were 15th in the table with 16 points. They are currently in 3rd place (34).
Leipzig Form & Balance Check
Leipzig are also currently struggling with a slump in form. The Bulls recently lost to Leverkusen and Frankfurt and have not won in three games. As a result, they too have just four points from their last four games. They are just behind VfB in fourth place in the table, level on points with BVB in fifth. It is also true for them that they would not be able to defend their Champions League places in the event of a defeat or a draw.
A major shortcoming at the moment is the defense, as Leipzig are unable to keep a clean sheet at this stage. The last league game with a clean sheet was ten matchdays ago. Across all competitions, it has already been thirteen games. It will certainly not be easy to break this negative streak against Stuttgart, who are strong at home.
Returner Olmo
The defeat against Leverkusen was certainly a source of frustration for Leipzig. However, there was one positive thing to report from the game, and that was Dani Olmo’s return to the starting eleven. The Spanish international suffered a serious shoulder joint injury at the end of October and was out for over two months. He is now back and was given just under 20 minutes of match practice against Frankfurt on the penultimate matchday.
He made his return to the starting line-up against Leverkusen and scored straight away, setting up fellow attacker Loïs Openda’s 2:1 goal for Leipzig. The 25-year-old now has two goals and two assists to his name and will hopefully get the Bulls back on the road to success from the Leipzig fans’ perspective
Leipzig facts & analysis
- Did you know that RB Leipzig score 21% of their goals between the 61-75 minute mark?
- When RB Leipzig lead 0-1 in away games, they win 86% of the games.
- When RB Leipzig trails 1-0 in away matches, they win 10% of matches.
Predicted lineup – last update on January 26, 2024
Stuttgart line up in a 3-4-3 formation. Jamie Leweling recently replaced the missing Guirrasy in the starting line-up, alongside Deniz Undav and Chris Führich in attack. In defense, Frenchman Anthony Rouault could get his chance in the starting eleven. Pascal Stenzel, who has not been entirely convincing of late, would have to make way for him and take a place on the bench for the time being.
Leipzig could make a few changes to their first eleven after two defeats in a row. Benjamin Henrichs will return to the full-back position in the classic 4-4-2, as will Christoph Baumgartner and Kevin Kampl, both of whom we expect to start in midfield. In attack, Yussuf Poulsen or Castello Lukeba would be alternatives for Benjamin Šeško.
Stuttgart – Leipzig head-to-head & stats
There have been eleven previous meetings between Stuttgart and Leipzig. Leipzig have won nine games and two games have ended in a draw. VfB are still waiting for their first win against the Bulls. In addition, they still have to settle the score for the 5:1 thrashing in the first leg of this season, when Stuttgart went down in Leipzig. Leipzig’s record from the last four games is three wins and one draw. The very first match took place in 2017. Leipzig also prevailed 1:0 on that occasion
- In the last 11 duels, VfB Stuttgart have left the pitch as winners 0 times. 2 games ended in a draw, RB Leipzig won 9 times. RB Leipzig have a goal difference of 23-4.
- Chris Fuhrich has the most assists for VfB Stuttgart with 5 assists. Xavi Simons (7) leads the way for RB Leipzig.
- On average, VfB Stuttgart scores 0.6 goals against RB Leipzig and RB Leipzig scores 2.8 goals against VfB Stuttgart.
- VfB Stuttgart scores an average of 2.59 goals when playing at home and RB Leipzig scores an average of 1.65 goals when playing away (on average).
- Neither team scored a goal in their last match.
