Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Bundesliga match.
The start of the season has been markedly different for Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund. The German vice champions and Champions League finalists have shown prowess in attack, but only the team have been able to maintain high standards in defence—something they are expected to demonstrate against their rivals.
Stuttgart
During the off-season, Stuttgart parted ways with several key players, which significantly impacted their early campaign. Although they rank in the top 4 of the Bundesliga by xG with 7.31, they have also allowed a worrying 7.02 xGA—the fourth worst in the league. Their much-anticipated return to the Champions League didn’t go as planned: Real Madrid (1:3) comfortably outclassed them, converting their chances effectively (with 2.74 xG from 19 shots).
Borussia Dortmund
Including their 4:1 victory over Phönix Lübeck in the DFB-Pokal, Borussia Dortmund have started their campaign with four wins and one draw (keeping three clean sheets). In the previous matchday, Borussia Dortmund put newcomers Heidenheim in their place with a 4:2 win—highlighted by Karim Adeyemi's impressive form (2+1), which he carried over from the German U21 side. In the Champions League against Club Brugge (3:0), the coaching staff’s acumen was on display: the team got 3+1 off the bench, including a debut goal for former Stuttgart player Serhou Guirassy.
Stuttgart vs Borussia Dortmund Prediction
It's crucial for Borussia Dortmund to defeat Stuttgart, breaking a three-match losing streak in their head-to-head meetings. Former Stuttgart players Waldemar Anton and Serhou Guirassy might start, and the form of their current team is unlikely to let them down in this significant match.
