Bayer Leverkusen will be keen to continue their invincible campaign when they take on VfB Stuttgart on Saturday.
Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen continue their invincible season, marching across all fronts like a juggernaut, and they welcome high-flying VfB Stuttgart to Bay Arena as they aim to build upon what has been an impressive run of 45 matches across all competitions without defeat.
Despite having already secured the title, Alonso and his side cannot slack off just yet as an unbeaten league campaign is within touching distance. More so, winning all four games will see them overtake Bayern Munich’s record point haul of 91 over the course of a league campaign.
Bayer Leverkusen’s recent dominance at the BayArena, where they have won their last nine matches, bodes well for their title aspirations. They lifted their first-ever league title after a commanding 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen in their previous fixture.
Meanwhile, Stuttgart, enjoying a successful season of their own, enter Matchday 31 significantly improved from the previous campaign. Despite a recent defeat, they remain in contention for European football next season.
Stuttgart have performed well on the road, with five consecutive away victories prior to their last defeat. However, they have struggled against top teams, suffering heavy losses to RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich earlier in the campaign.
While European football is assured for Stuttgart, securing only a Europa League spot would be seen as a disappointment given their strong performance this season. They currently sit three points behind second-placed Bayern Munich and hold a four-point advantage over fourth-placed RB Leipzig. The Hard Tackle examines potential lineups and tactics for both sides in what promises to be an intriguing encounter.
Team News & Tactics
Bayer Leverkusen
The absence of midfield anchor Granit Xhaka, suspended for one match due to accumulated yellow cards, poses a significant hurdle. Additionally, Adam Hlozek remains sidelined with a muscle injury.
Xabi Alonso will also be without Borja Iglesias, out with a muscle injury. However, there is enough quality within the squad for the champions to navigate what is a tricky clash. Bayer Leverkusen are expected to retain their 3-4-2-1 system, with Lukas Hradecky in goal. He should be protected by the back three of Josip Stanisic, Jonathan Tah, and Edmond Tapsoba.
Alejandro Grimaldo and Alex Tella should provide the width, with Exequiel Palacios and Robert Andrich holding the fort in the middle of the park. Florian Wirtz and Amine Adli should provide the attacking thrust, while Victor Boniface leads the line. With the Europa League semi-final against AS Roma later in the week, Alonso is expected to rotate his squad and rest some of his first-XI regulars.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Stanisic, Tah, Tapsoba; Tella, Palacios, Andrich, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface
VfB Stuttgart
Angelo Stiller’s suspension will see him miss the trip, possibly prompting a formation change to accommodate a back four. In addition to Stiller’s absence, Stuttgart must contend with several key players sidelined due to injury.
Josha Vagnoman, Samuele di Benedetto, Dan-Axel Zagadou, and Nikolas Nartey are all unavailable, further complicating manager Sebastian Hoeness’s team selection for the match. However, he can still call upon the prolific front two of Serhou Guirassy and Deniz Undav.
The duo has found the back of the net 42 times this season and will once again be Stuittgart’s trump card on Saturday. The 4-4-2 system is likely to be retained, with Alexander Nubel in goal. He should be protected by the back four of Pascal Stenzel, Waldemar Anton, Hiroki Ito, and Maximilian Mittelstadt.
Atakan Karazor and Mahmoud Dahoud should form the haymaker in the middle, with Chris Fuhrich and Jamie Leweling providing the width. Meanwhile, Guirassy and Undav will lead the line.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Nubel; Stenzel, Anton, Ito, Mittelstadt; Leweling, Karazor, Dahoud, Fuhrich; Undav, Guirassy
Key Stats
- Bayer Leverkusen have beaten VfB Stuttgart 44 times in all competitions, more than any other side.
- Bayer Leverkusen have lost just one of their last 25 clashes against Stuttgart.
- A win on Saturday will extend Leverkusen’s winning streak against Stuttgart at home to seven games.
- Stuttgart are currently on a six-game winning streak when playing on a Saturday evening. This is the longest such run by any side in the Bundesliga in this particular kick-off time since Bayern between 2010-2022 (12).
- Avoiding defeat on the night will increase Leverkusen’s unbeaten run this season to 46 games across all competitions, the longest current run of any team in Europe’s top five leagues.
- Should Leverkusen fail to win on the night, they will go three straight games without a win for the first time this season.
Player to Watch
Serhou Guirassy
The striker is enjoying a fine campaign and has scored more Bundesliga goals this season than anyone sans Harry Kane. He has formed a solid understanding with Deniz Undav and will hope to catch Bayer Leverkusen napping.
Xabi Alonso’s side have now gone two games without a win and could show signs of buckling if the pressure is applied in the right areas. Guirassy’s skill set could do just that should he turn up on the night.
Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 VfB Stuttgart
Stuttgart have been poor travellers, especially when it comes to the top teams in the league. While they could have moments of joy on the night, Bayer Leverkusen will be buzzing for their first home game since winning the Bundesliga against Werder Bremen last time around. Leverkusen mighty not be at full throttle. But it is difficult to see them dsrop any points, especially at home.
