Two of Bundesliga’s prime top-four contenders face off on Saturday afternoon as Stuttgart play host to RB Leipzig at the MHPArena.
Carrying the label of the surprise package throughout the first half of the Bundesliga campaign, sitting just behind the leaders Bayer Leverkusen and the defending champions Bayern Munich, Stuttgart’s title hopes have virtually vanished after they kicked off the new calendar year in a disappointing fashion.
After losing 1-3 to Borussia Monchengladbach in their first match of 2024, Sebastian Hoeness’ squad suffered yet another blow as they slumped to a narrow 0-1 defeat against lowly Bochum, opening up an insurmountable 14-point deficit to the league leader.
Still, this has been a remarkable season for Die Schwaben, and they will now turn their attentions to a hotly contested top-four race. With Leipzig now just one point behind in fourth place, a defeat for the hosts’ could see them drop from third to fifth, while victory over their closest contenders in the top-four would tighten their grip.
The reverse fixture between these teams ended in a convincing 5-1 victory for Leipzig. Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over these two sides ahead of their enticing match-up in the Bundesliga this weekend.
Team News and Tactics
VfB Stuttgart
Stuttgart are sorely missing the presence of 17-goal striker Serhou Guirassy and have lost all four matches as he continues to represent Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations.
In the absence of their top scorer, the responsibility very much lies on the shoulders of former Brighton marksman Deniz Undav, who has netted just once in his last six outings, to pull Stuttgart out of this difficult period, with further support in attack coming from wingers Jamie Leweling and Chris Fuhrich.
Like Guirassy, Silas is away at AFCON, while Hiroki Ito and Jeong Woo-Yeong are all at the Asian Cup. Atakan Karazor is suspended after picking up five yellow cards. Nikolas Nartey is closing in on a return after knee surgery, while Lilian Egloff is still dealing with a knee issue. With Karazor suspended, Roberto Massimo could slot into the double-midfield pivot alongside Angelo Stiller.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Nubel; Vagnoman, Anton, Zagadou, Mittelstadt; Massimo, Stiller; Leweling, Millot, Fuhrich; Undav
RB Leipzig
Amadou Haidara is away on international duty with Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Xavi Simons is suspended after picking up five yellow cards.
Defender Willi Orban has taken part in light training sessions after successfully recovering from a knee injury, but Saturday’s game may come a tad soon for him.
Despite back-to-back losses, Marco Rose is unlikely to deviate from the fluid 4-4-2 system that transforms into a 4-2-2-2 or a 4-2-4 as needed. Janis Blaswich should deputise in goal behind a back four of Benjamin Henrichs, Lukas Klostermann, Castello Lukeba, and David Raum.
The duo of Xaver Schlager and Kevin Kampl will be entrusted to keep things ticking along in the middle of the park. In Simons’ absence, Christoph Baumgartner will most likely be reinstated to the starting lineup in an attacking midfield role alongside Spanish forward Dani Olmo, while striker Yussuf Poulsen will be vying to force his way back into the XI at the expense of Benjamin Sesko.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Blaswich; Henrichs, Klostermann, Lukeba, Raum; Baumgartner, Schlager, Kampl, Olmo; Poulsen, Openda
Key Stats
- RB Leipzig have won eight of their last nine games against VfB Stuttgart in all competitions.
- Both Stuttgart and RB Leipzig have yet to secure their first points from the opening two matches in 2024.
- Stuttgart have won only one of their past five league games.
- RB Leipzig have not lost to Stuttgart in 11 meetings so far, winning nine times and drawing twice.
- Over one-third of Stuttgart’s home games in the Bundesliga this season have featured over 2.5 goals.
Player to Watch
Lois Openda
Since signing for RB Leipzig last July, Lois Openda has bagged an impressive 15 goals in 26 appearances, impressing with his pace, work rate, and willingness to run the channels, as well as the variety of his finishing techniques.
The 5ft 10in striker’s thirst for goals ensures he never stays in one place for too long.
The 23-year-old is already well-travelled despite his tender years, and now his form for RB Leipzig is attracting the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
For now, Leipzig looks set to retain his services after offloading Timo Werner to Spurs, and Openda could prove to be the key for them to earn all three points here.
Prediction
VfB Stuttgart 1-2 RB Leipzig
A closely fought top-four clash between two teams chomping at the bit to return to winning is on the horizon for this weekend, and although Stuttgart boast the home advantage, Leipzig have had the hosts’ number in this fixture in recent years.
Both teams will have to make do without a few of their most potent players here, but Leipzig should still have enough quality at their disposal to claim maximum points against a Stuttgart outfit who have lost all four games in the absence of star striker Guirassy this season. Stuttgart will have moments of their own, but Leipzig are expected to come away with a victory by two goals.
