Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Bundesliga match.
Two and a half months after their German Super Cup match, Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart are set to face off again, kicking off another exciting round in the championship. Bookmakers favour the home side, with the team from Leverkusen proving more stable and still hopeful of entering the winter break at the top of the table.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Following their victory over AC Milan (1:0) in the UEFA Champions League, where Bayer Leverkusen created an impressive 3.24 xG, the team managed to exceed a total over 2.5 in four of their next five matches. A draw in Bremen against Werder (2:2), further highlighted their defensive issues, as the mid-table team breached the reigning champions’ defence twice, with 1.28 xG. In the Cup match against Elfsborg, Bayer Leverkusen scored three times by the 36th minute, showcasing their squad depth.
Stuttgart
A heavy defeat in Munich to Bayern (0:4) prompted a shift in play style for Stuttgart, who have since adopted a more aggressive approach in the opposition's half. Against Holstein Kiel and Kaiserslautern, both ending 2:1, Stuttgart registered a combined 31 shots. They currently rank third in the Bundesliga for xG (17.37), and in eight league rounds, total over 2.5 only failed to occur once in their matches.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Stuttgart Prediction
In 2024, encounters between Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart have consistently delivered thrilling football (3:2, 2:2, and 3:2 after penalties). Expect another goal-laden spectacle as the round opens in Leverkusen.
