Preview: Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart – Prediction, Team News, Line-ups

Bayer Leverkusen return to Bundesliga action this Saturday as they take on Stuttgart at BayArena. 

Xabi Alonso’s side recently ended Bayern Munich’s domestic dominance by clinching the Bundesliga title with an emphatic 5-0 win over Werder Bremen. 

Match Preview 

Xabi Alonso has completely transformed the fortunes of Leverkusen within a few years. 

Liverpool were highly impressed with the 42-year-old and wanted to sign him as their new manager. 

But to the delight of Die Werkself supporters, Alonso decided to stay at the German outfit for another season. 

Leverkusen sealed the Bundesliga title earlier this month after thrashing Werder Bremen 5-0 at BayArena. 

They followed that up with an aggregate 3-1 win over West Ham United in Europe to qualify for the semi-final, where they will face Roma with the game available to watch through Europa League live streams. 

Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga streak looked in danger last weekend when Niclas Füllkrug scored for Borussia Dortmund on 81 minutes. But they fought back to salvage a draw after an injury-time equaliser from Josip Stanišić. 

On the other hand, Stuttgart are also enjoying an impressive 2023-24 season. 

They have won 20 of their 30 league games and are assured of European football next season for the first time after more than a decade. 

However, they will enter Saturday’s game on the back of a 2-1 loss to Werder in an away league encounter.  

The visitors found themselves trailing by two goals before Deniz Undav pulled one back as a consolation. 

Team News 

Manager Xabi Alonso will be without Granit Xhaka who will be serving his suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards. While Borja Iglesias and Adam Hlozek will also be absent because of injury issues. 

As for Stuttgart, several players will be missing this weekend, including Josha Vagnoman, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Samuele di Benedetto and Nikolas Nartey. 

Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart potential line-ups 

Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky; Stanisic, Tah, Tabsoba; Tella, Palacios, Andrich, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface

Stuttgart: Nubel; Stenzel, Anton, Ito, Mittelstadt; Leweling, Karazor, Dahoud, Fuhrich; Undav, Guirassy

Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart prediction 

With the Bundesliga title secured, Xabi Alonso’s men will be looking to become the Europa League winners too. But they will also want to maintain their unbeaten run in the German top-flight. 

Stuttgart have enjoyed an outstanding season but we don’t see them beating Leverkusen at their home ground. 

Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Stuttgart