This key encounter in the upcoming round of the German championship is set to provide insights into the ambitions of both Stuttgart and RB Leipzig for the latter half of the season. Next week, both German sides will continue their journeys in the Champions League, a competition that demands significant energy and focus, which could otherwise be directed towards the Bundesliga.
For the first time since the campaign began, Stuttgart have edged closer to the European competition spots. Their victory over Augsburg (1:0) saw complete dominance from their side (2.57 vs 0.22 in xG and 5-2 in shots on target). Stuttgart possess the second-best xG figure in the league (34.45), although their xGA ranks in the lower half of the table (26.97). Out of 16 rounds played, their matches have seen the total over 2.5 hit 11 times—exceeded only by Holstein Kiel and Bayer Leverkusen (both logging 12).
RB Leipzig have recently found their scoring form, with four of their last five league games featuring at least three goals. At home against Werder Bremen (4:2), Xavi Simons triumphantly returned from injury, scoring twice in the first half as the team generated 1.63 xG from 18 shots. On the road, however, Leipzig have been leaky in defence, conceding 13 goals in eight away games—ranking second from the bottom among the top 10 teams.
Over the past two years, matches between Stuttgart and RB Leipzig have exceeded the total over 2.5 in goals three consecutive times. We expect another high-scoring encounter from these contenders for top-four positions.
