January 15, 2025. 9:30 p.m. Stuttgart. MHP Arena.
Bundesliga 2024-25. Day 17
Suspensions : Amadou Aydara (Mainz)
Absent: Dan-Axel Zagadou, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Luka Raimund, Justin Diehl, El-Bilal Touré – Castello Lukeba, Benjamin Henrichs, Assan Ouédraogo, Yusuf Poulsen
Doubt : Xaver Schlager (RB Leipzig)
Stuttgart
The Swedes suffered a humiliating 1-5 defeat to Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League after the November international break. Yet they managed to advance to the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal, making up for their Champions League woes by beating Young Boys at home by the same scoreline, and recorded an impressive four-game unbeaten run in Bundesliga, with ten points accumulated. Sebastian Hoeneß’s side celebrated victories against Bochum, Union and Heidenheim, and drew away with league neighbors Werder.
It looked like Stuttgart would extend their unbeaten run before the winter break, but against all odds the Swedes lost at home to lowly St. Pauli, losing 0:1, marking the first time since March 2023 that They couldn’t score at home. The new year started with a hard-fought 1:0 away victory against Augsburg. The only goal came midway through the second half thanks to Deniz Undav, who returned after an injury that had kept him off the field since early November. With this victory, Stuttgart moved up to 7th place in the Bundesliga table, overtaking Werder and both Borussia teams, although they still risk ending the first half of the season outside the European competition places.
-RB Leipzig
The ‘RBs’ endured a tumultuous Champions League campaign this season, finishing with zero points after six games, meaning there is no prospect of continuing in the tournament. However, Marco Rose’s side still have a chance to win the DFB-Pokal and finish in the top four to secure a new Champions League spot for next season. In the cup quarter-finals, Leipzig will host Wolfsburg at home at the end of February, while in the league, the RBs currently share 3rd and 4th place with Eintracht, being edged out by the Eagles due to a lesser goal difference. favorable. They are five points behind Bayer and nine behind Bayern, but Rose’s side also hold a slight lead over Mainz, Freiburg and, of course, Stuttgart.
Before the new year, RB Leipzig recorded three defeats in five Bundesliga games, conceding an avalanche of goals in each defeat: 3:4 against Hoffenheim, 1:5 at home against Wolfsburg, and another 1:5 in Munich against at Bayern before the winter break. Interspersed between these defeats, the Bulls got a solid victory against Holstein and managed to defeat Eintracht at home for the second time in a few weeks. The new year also started positively for Rose’s side, achieving a convincing 4:2 victory against Werder, which was one of the main surprises of the first half of the season alongside Mainz. Xavi Simons shone with a double against the Musicians, marking his return after a serious injury which kept him out for several months. Benjamin Šeško and Christoph Baumgartner also scored.
Stuttgart vs Leipzig: Expected team line-ups
Stuttgart is preparing for the absence of the previously mentioned injured Dan-Axel Zagadou, Luka Raimund, El-Bilal Touré and Justin Diehl. After the match in Augsburg, they will also have to do without key left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt, who will be replaced by Dutchman Ramon Hendriks. Deniz Undav could also make his return to the starting XI. For Leipzig, the visitors will be without Castello Lukeba, Benjamin Henrichs, Assan Ouédraogo and Yusuf Poulsen due to injuries, while Amadou Aydara is suspended. Midfielder Xaver Schlager’s participation remains uncertain due to knee problems.
Stuttgart vs Leipzig: Author’s prediction
Stuttgart have won only half of their home games this season – four out of eight. Two matches ended in draws and they suffered two close defeats – 2:3 against Eintracht and 0:1 against St. Pauli. RB Leipzig have lost three of their last four away games, but they also have four away wins this season. The last meeting between these rivals in Stuttgart last January ended in a resounding 5-2 victory for RB. It was Stuttgart’s first victory over Leipzig in Bundesliga history. Currently, the Swedes are seen as the favorites, but notable doubts remain about their ability to win this time. However, Leipzig’s chances of winning are probably not higher. Personally, I find a draw to be the most likely outcome, something like 2:2.
