Preview: Stuttgart vs Bayer Leverkusen - prediction, team news, lineups

Stuttgart's MHPArena will be the staging ground for a titanic clash against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday in the Bundesliga, with defeat for either team almost certainly set to cost them Champions League football.

Stuttgart and Leverkusen are fifth and fourth with 58 points respectively heading into the penultimate matchweek of the league season, and the two sides are also level on points with sixth-placed Hoffenheim.

Match preview

Stuttgart's campaign has been one of progression irrespective of their final placement when considering the fact they finished ninth with just 50 points in 2024-25.

However, Die Roten appear to be stumbling at the wrong time given they are winless in three Bundesliga matches, most recently drawing 3-3 with Hoffenheim on May 2.

Die Roten's goal difference of 20 is three less than the total amassed by Leverkusen, though having scored 10 goals in their last four games, it would be foolish to believe that they are incapable of closing that gap.

Perhaps boss Sebastian Hoeness should be more concerned by his team's defensive frailties, with his side having conceded at least two goals in four of their past six top-flight outings.

It should be highlighted that Stuttgart's defensive record at home has been positive when considering they have kept three clean sheets in five Bundesliga clashes at MHPArena, and they also won three of those matches.

Victory for Leverkusen would not only leave them in a position of strength ahead of their final game against newly-promoted Hamburger SV, but it would also avenge the 4-1 loss they suffered in the reverse fixture on January 10.

The visitors will know that settling for a stalemate on the weekend would be incredibly risky given Hoffenheim will be expected to beat 15th-placed Werder Bremen on Saturday.

Kasper Hjulmand oversaw an impressive 4-1 triumph against RB Leipzig on May 2, and he will be particularly pleased that his players limited their opponents to just two big chances while creating nine of their own.

That was Die Werkself's second consecutive win, as well as their fourth in five league fixtures, while they have now scored at least two goals in four of their six most recent league games.

Die Schwarzroten have been far from flawless at the opposite end of the pitch having kept just one clean sheet in seven top-flight clashes.

Leverkusen are unbeaten in five away Bundesliga matches, and a victory on Saturday would be their fourth in their last six contests on the road.

Stuttgart Bundesliga form:

Stuttgart form (all competitions):

Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga form:

Bayer Leverkusen form (all competitions):

Team News

Stuttgart forward Deniz Undav has been one of the standout stars of the Bundesliga this season, but he has failed to score in his last four league games, so he must improve in the final third if he is to guide his side to Champions League football.

Midfielder Angelo Stiller has performed excellently this term, though his work without the ball will be tested further given that ball-winner Atakan Karazor is suspended, with Chema Andres set to deputise.

Julian Chabot and Ramon Hendriks have started 24 and 20 top-flight matches this campaign respectively, and they could be trusted in central defence once again.

Leverkusen will have their most important stars available for this weekend's clash, including attackers Ibrahim Maza and Nathan Tella, who will be expected to support striker Patrik Schick.

Exequiel Palacios and Aleix Garcia were both selected in a double pivot against Leipzig, and the duo are set to patrol the middle of the pitch on Saturday.

Stuttgart possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Assignon, Chabot, Hendriks, Mittelstadt; Chema, Stiller; Leweling, El Khannouss, Fuhrich; Undav

Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:

Flekken; Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba; Culbreath, Palacios, Garcia, Grimaldo; Maza, Tella; Schick

We say: Stuttgart 2-3 Bayer Leverkusen

The chances of either team keeping a clean sheet are slim, and with both likely needing to win in order to remain in the race for top four, Saturday's game could be an entertaining affair.

Stuttgart will have to rely upon their strong home record if they are to get the better of Leverkusen, but the visitors' resilience on the road may prove too much to overcome.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.