Stuttgart – RB Leipzig : Preview & Prediction
Sunday’s Bundesliga action kicks off with Stuttgart hosting RB Leipzig. The record between the two sides suggests that this could be a tough duel for the home side, having lost seven of the eight meetings between the two teams (E1), including a 4-0 thrashing 12 months ago.
Rather than dreading this encounter, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side will probably be happy to be in this situation after securing their Bundesliga stay via a dramatic stoppage-time goal on the final day of last season. The signings of Hiroki Ito and Konstantinos Mavropanos, after making their loan moves from Jubilo Iwata and Arsenal permanent, could be a sign that Stuttgart don’t want to be anywhere near relegation this season, as could the summer signing of Joshua Vagnoman. Although a recent narrow 1-0 win over third division Dynamo Dresden in the German Cup indicates that they may still struggle to survive at this level.
Leipzig are also looking to improve after finishing last season in fourth place, their lowest position since the 2017/18 campaign. They closed the campaign by winning their first major title with the German Cup, but then suffered a 5-3 loss to Bayern Munich in the traditional season opener in the German Supercup last weekend.
It could be a difficult few months for coach Domenico Tedesco and his team following the departure of several key players this summer, including Tyler Adams and Nordi Mukiele to Leeds and PSG, respectively. The latter’s departure perhaps explains their defensive problems against Bayern, although Leipzig also finished last season with only two clean sheets in their last eight competitive matches.
Players to watch: Juan Jose Perea Mendoza made his Stuttgart debut last weekend after joining from PAS Giannina in Greece, where he scored four of his ten goals in his last eight games. Meanwhile, Leipzig’s Andre Silva has scored three times in four games against Stuttgart, including goals from the penalty spot in both wins last season.
Key stat: Leipzig have only won their first away game of a Bundesliga season once (E2, P3).
Stuttgart – RB Leipzig : Betting Tips
RB Leipzig – Win Odds: 1.75
