Stuttgart will host RB Leipzig with just one point separating the two teams on the Bundesliga table. These two teams, who come into this match on the heels of consecutive league losses, are separated by just one point at the halfway point.
Preview (Stuttgart vs. RB Leipzig)
After winning four straight games from November 11 to December 6, Stuttgart’s bold hopes of winning the title have evaporated, and they are now barely hanging on to a top-four position after winning just one of their last five Bundesliga games. Die Roten lost their first game of 2024 3-1 at Borussia Monchengladbach. Last weekend, they lost 1-0 away to VfL Bochum. Matus Bero scored the game-winning goal just five minutes into the second half.
In addition to falling 10 points behind Bayern Munich in second place, Sebastian Hoeness’s team has now lost three times in their last four games, more than they have in their first 14 Bundesliga games this season. At the halfway point, they are only one point ahead of Leipzig in fourth place and Borussia Dortmund in fifth. Stuttgart has only lost one of their last 13 league games in the MHPArena under Hoeness. Coming into Saturday’s encounter, they have won seven of their first nine Bundesliga home games this season.
Stuttgart has not lost to another Bundesliga team as frequently as they have. They have drawn two and lost nine of their eleven previous top-flight encounters with Die Roten Bullen. Nevertheless, victory against Leipzig could remain difficult. Leipzig began the New Year with a dismal record. They lost back-to-back home games against Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen. They lost 3-2 to the latter last weekend, after finishing 2023 with five wins and a draw.
Team News
While Serhou Guirassy, Silas Katompa Mvumpa, Hiroki Ito, and Jeong Woo-yeong are all away on international duty. The former two are at the Africa Cup of Nations, and the latter two are at the Asian Cup. The Stuttgart combo of Leonard Egloff and Nikolas Nartey are out with knee injuries. Due to a suspension resulting from a string of yellow cards, Atakan Karazor is also not available for selection. As a result, Roberto Massimo or Enzo Millot may be able to play with Angelo Stiller. Even though Deniz Undav has only scored once in his last six games, Jamie Leweling and Chris Fuhrich, two wingers, are likely to support him upfront in Guirassy’s absence.
Regarding Leipzig, Willi Orban has resumed team workouts following his recovery from a knee injury; nonetheless, the defender may be too young for this Saturday’s match. While star attacker Xavi Simons is suspended following his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend, Leipzig will also be missing Amadou Haidara, who is overseas representing Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations. Because of Simons’ absence, Yussuf Poulsen, a striker, is expected to push his way back into the starting lineup by dislodging Benjamin Sesko in favor of Christoph Baumgartner, who will likely be brought back to start with Dani Olmo in an advanced midfield role.
Stuttgart 1-2 RB Leipzig
For more football previews, click here
