Just three points separate Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart before their first fixture of 2026, and the outcome from this match will cause a serious shift in the standings, regardless of the eventual winner.
Bayer Leverkusen ended the year on a high after a series of bad results and now have an opportunity to strengthen their position in the Top 4 by defeating Stuttgart, who have the same ambitions.
Neither team has been particularly solid defensively this season, so we could well be in for a goal fest.
Stuttgart are certainly in good form, having lost only two of their last 10 games. More importantly, they have scored at least two goals in seven of those games. But producing a similar performance would be far more difficult when they arrive in Leverkusen.
The hosts have been almost flawless at home in the Bundesliga since Kasper Hjulmand took charge, only losing once in seven matches. But more importantly, Die Werkself won four of their last five without conceding a single goal.
How the bookies view it: Close in the table, but not on the same level
Although they are separated by only three points in the standings, bookmakers believe that Stuttgart's chances are close to minimal in this match.
Bayer Leverkusen are the favourites at 9/10, while the visitors from Stuttgart are available at 13/5. There are no high expectations for a draw either, as the odds are much higher than usual at 3/1.
Recent head-to-head: Almost a decade without a Stuttgart win
Stuttgart and their current boss, Sebastian Hoeness, both have separate long-lasting negative streaks against Bayer Leverkusen, so their fans have much to worry about.
When it comes to the Swabians, they have not won in 15 consecutive H2Hs, with their last win dating back to 2018. When it comes to Hoeness, he has managed 11 matches against Bayer Leverkusen throughout his career and has never won against them.
Players to watch: Schick vs Undav for man of the match
This season is far from the best in Patrick Schick's career, but perhaps the match against Stuttgart will give him extra motivation, considering the five goals he has scored against them in the past.
He also scored in Bayer Leverkusen's last match, which must have helped his confidence.
On the other end, we can highlight Deniz Undav’s season and current form. The 29-year-old German is already one goal away from his Bundesliga tally from last season. With eight goals in 11 league appearances, he is tied-second in goals scored in the league.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Probable line-ups
Bayer Leverkusen: Flekken, Andrich, Bade, Quansah, Arthur, Garcia, Tillman, Grimaldo, Hofmann, Terrier, Schick
Stuttgart: Nubel, Mittelstadt, Stergiou, Chabot, Vagnoman, Karazor, Stiller, Leweling, Nartey, Tomas, Undav
Anything else catch the eye?
Eight of Stuttgart’s last 10 fixtures produced at least three goals. Combined with the incredible H2H stats from recent years, we plan to back this market again.
Both teams scored in six of the last seven encounters, while four out of the last five ended with at least three goals. And let’s not forget that all eight of Stuttgart’s away matches in the top flight this season ended with 3+ goals.
As for the winner, we plan to back Bayer Leverkusen. Defeats and short-term form drops will always be part of the game, but Die Werkself have been extraordinary at home and the Swabians will have to endure one of the biggest challenges the Bundesliga has to offer.
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