Bundesliga | Gameweek 26

Mar 16, 2025 at 6.30pm UK

Mercedes-Benz-Arena

Stuttgart vs B. Leverkusen

Match preview

The home side drew 2-2 with Holstein Kiel on 8 March, and although they were 2-1 down when reduced to 10 men in the 53rd minute, they scored two minutes later and had only one real chance after Leonidas Stergiou's dismissal.

However, coach Sebastian Hoeness will be concerned that his side have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven Bundesliga matches.

Stuttgart did manage to hold Leverkusen to a 0-0 draw in the top flight on 1 November, but it should be noted that they have only beaten the visitors once in their last 28 encounters.

The Reds go into the game without a win in four matches - they have lost twice - and have lost four, drawn two and won one of their last seven league games.

Stuttgart have been beaten in four of their last five home matches and have lost their last three Bundesliga games at the MHPArena.

Leverkusen dominated possession against Werder Bremen, accumulating 73% of the ball, and might have been more successful had the likes of Emiliano Buendia and Amine Adli not wasted gilt-edged chances in front of goal.

Xabi Alonso's side were also beaten 2-0 by Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday night, going out of the competition 5-0 down on aggregate.

It was the club's third consecutive defeat, two of which came at the hands of the Bavarians, and their first three-game losing streak since August 2022.

The Schwarz-Roten's struggles in the final third will be of concern to their supporters, as they have failed to score in their last three games, while also failing to find the back of the net in two of their previous four.

The DFB-Pokal looks to be their only chance of silverware this season, with just nine league games remaining and only two Bundesliga defeats to their name.

Leverkusen's away form has been poor, with two defeats, two draws and two wins in their last six away games in all competitions.

Recent Performance

Stuttgart Bundesliga form:LWLDLD

Stuttgart form (all competitions):WWLDLD

Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga form:WDDWWL

Bayer Leverkusen form (all competitions):DWWLLL

Team News

Stuttgart centre-back Stergiou is suspended, while Dan-Axel Zagadou is not expected to make his comeback from injury until May.

Defenders Finn Jeltsch and Julian Chabot may be deployed in front of goalkeeper Alexander Nubel.

First-choice Angelo Stiller could be partnered by Atakan Karazor in the heart of midfield, and the duo could provide support for strikers Deniz Undav and Nick Woltemade.

Unfortunately for Leverkusen, centre-backs Mario Hermoso and Edmond Tapsoba have been ruled out, so expect Nordi Mukiele, Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapie to form a back three.

Talisman Florian Wirtz will join attackers Martin Terrier and Nathan Tella on the sidelines, with Adli, Aleix Garcia and Patrik Schick in contention to start in a front three.

Granit Xhaka is certain to feature on Sunday and is likely to be joined by Robert Andrich in a double pivot.

Possible starting lineup

Stuttgart possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Vagnoman, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Leweling, Karazor, Stiller, Fuhrich; Undav, Woltemade

Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:

Hradecky; Mukiele, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Adli, Garcia; Schick