Best Odds: 13/5
Bookmaker:
Looking to pick up their first Bundesliga win at the second attempt on Friday night, Leipzig will welcome Stuttgart to the Red Bull Arena.
RB Leipzig
Starting with the hosts, while RB Leipzig might have made a major statement earlier in the month as they landed a remarkable 3-0 romp against reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, the Red Bulls certainly came crashing back down to earth last time out. Eventually slumping to what would have been a disappointing 3-2 loss at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen when opening up the 2023/24 campaign, Marcos Rose’s men will be seeking an immediate response here. Gaining a string of plaudits last season as they claimed another bronze medal finish among Germany’s elite, Leipzig will be excited to make a return to home soil on Friday night. Signing off last season with an action-packed 4-2 victory against Schalke on May 27th, Rose’s side won each of their final four straight Bundesliga showdowns at the Red Bull Arena.
Team News
Once again finding the net away at Leverkusen last weekend after bagging the famous Super Cup hat-trick against Bayern Munich on August 12th, Spanish international Dani Olmo will spearhead Leipzig’s charge on Friday night.
However, all missing out with respective injury issues last week, Rose’s side will once again be without the quartet of Amadou Haidara, Caden Clark, Peter Gulascsi and El Chadaille Bitshiabu here.
Stuttgart
As for the visitors, after only just clinging to their Bundesliga status last season, Stuttgart are certainly seeking some stability this time around. However, enjoying a real flurry when signing off the 2022/23 campaign back in May, the Reds certainly opened the new season with a major statement of intent last weekend. Putting in a thumping performance on home soil as they claimed a routine 5-0 romp against Bochum, Sebastian Hoeneb’s side will be desperate to spring a heavyweight upset here. Nevertheless, tipped as a landslide underdog on Friday night, Stuttgart should be concerned by a nightmare record against Leipzig. Including a 2-1 loss when they travelled to the Red Bull Arena back on January 27th, Hoeneb’s men have failed to win any of their last 10 straight meetings.
Team News
Stuttgart will be unable to call upon Konstantinos Mavropanos on Friday night after the Greek international defender made the move to Premier League outfit West Ham in what could turn out to be a deal worth €25million.
Dealing with a mounting injury list, the Reds will be unable to call upon the likes of Fabian Bredlow, Nikolay Nartey and Josha Vagnoman this weekend.
Key Factors to Consider