Form and Line-up
The current situation of the team under Sebastian Hoeness raises doubts. Stuttgart has not left the Bundesliga top five for several months, but the club still has not secured a place in the Champions League zone. Over the last five rounds the hosts have only beaten Hamburg at home (4:0) – the visitors have had major problems with away matches all season. A week ago the team showed character away to Hoffenheim (3:3), coming back from 1:3, although captain Atakan Karazor was sent off late on. The side can be satisfied with that result, but the dropped points cost a place in the top four – it was Bayer Leverkusen who moved in there.
Key numbers for Stuttgart:
The team have the worst defence among the Bundesliga's top five (46 conceded in 32 matches).
Stuttgart have won only three of their last seven home matches in regulation time.
Stuttgart have suffered seven defeats against Bayer Leverkusen in their last 10 home matches. They have not won there for more than 16 years.
Probable Stuttgart line-up (4-2-3-1):
Alexander Nubel – Ramon Hendriks, Julian Chabot, Luca Zhake, Josha Vagnoman – Angelo Stiller, Chema Andres – Chris Fuhrich, Bilal El-Hannous, Jamie Leweling – Deniz Undav.
Absentees: Atakan Karazor (suspension).
Form and Line-up
The visitors look excellent after the international break. Since the start of April Bayer Leverkusen has lost only to a solid Augsburg side (1:2), and they also went out of the German Cup against an in-form Bayern Munich (0:2). However, the team beat Borussia Dortmund in Dortmund (1:0), handing them only a second home defeat in the Bundesliga, and a week ago the visitors swept aside Leipzig (4:1). The side dominated their top-level opponents, recording 4.42 xG and creating nine goal-scoring chances.
Key numbers for Bayer Leverkusen:
Since March Bayer Leverkusen has suffered only one defeat in six away matches – against Arsenal (0:2).
Bayer Leverkusen is third in the Bundesliga for away xG (28.01 in 16 matches).
Since the March international break Bayer Leverkusen has the highest xG in the Bundesliga (16.33 in five games).
Probable Bayer Leverkusen line-up (3-4-2-1):
Mark Flekken – Edmond Tapsoba, Robert Andrich, Jarell Quansah – Alex Grimaldo, Exequiel Palacios, Aleix Garcia, Montrell Kalbret – Nathan Tella, Ibrahim Maza – Patrik Schick.
Absentees: Martin Terrier, Lucas Vazquez (both – injury).
