Bayer Leverkusen vs. Stuttgart: Preview, Predictions & Betting Odds

As the Bundesliga season draws towards a thrilling close, the fixture list presents a tantalising match-up this Saturday: Bayer Leverkusen, the newly crowned champions, take on Stuttgart, a team that have defied expectations to mount a strong claim for a top-four finish. This encounter promises not only to showcase the tactical nous of two respected managers, Xabi Alonso and Sebastian Hoeneß, but also to highlight the skills of some of the league's standout performers.

• Leverkusen To Win @ +140 With BetMGM
• Leverkusen To Score 2+ Goals @ +170 With BetMGM
• A Goal In Both Halves @ +800 With BetMGM

These odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

• Date: 27/04/2024
• Kick-off time: 17:30
• Location: BayArena

Bayer Leverkusen have enjoyed a season of unprecedented success. Under the stewardship of Xabi Alonso, the team have captured the imagination of football fans across Europe. Currently positioned at the summit of the Bundesliga with an impressive 80 points from 30 matches, Leverkusen's performance this season has been nothing short of spectacular. The team's success is not limited to domestic achievements; they have also made significant strides in European and cup competitions, reaching the semi-final of the Europa League and the final of the DFB-Pokal.

This season, Leverkusen have not only secured their first-ever Bundesliga title, but they have also maintained an unbeaten streak across all competitions—a remarkable feat that could set them apart as one of the legendary teams in German football history. As they approach the season's end, Leverkusen are on the cusp of setting a new record for the highest points total in the Bundesliga, currently standing at 91 points—a record set by Bayern Munich. To surpass this milestone, Leverkusen must win all their remaining four matches.

The quest to remain unbeaten throughout a Bundesliga season adds another layer of excitement to their campaign. No team in the history of the Bundesliga has managed to finish a season without a single defeat, making Leverkusen's current run a potential landmark achievement in German football.

On the other side, Stuttgart, under the guidance of Sebastian Hoeneß, have put together an impressive campaign of their own. Sitting third in the table with 63 points from 30 games, Stuttgart have almost assured themselves a spot in next season’s Champions League. This is particularly notable given the increased allocation for German clubs, with the top five Bundesliga teams set to qualify. Stuttgart's success this season can be largely attributed to their formidable attacking duo: Serhou Guirassy and Deniz Undav. Guirassy, the Guinean striker, has been a revelation, netting 25 goals in the league, while Undav has contributed a commendable 17 goals. Their firepower has been central to Stuttgart's ability to compete at the top end of the table, and their performances have certainly not gone unnoticed.

The upcoming match will be a tactical battle between two managers who have each imprinted their philosophy on their teams. Alonso's Leverkusen favour a high-energy, counter-pressing style with close interplay between the attackers, whereas Hoeneß's Stuttgart are known for their possession-dominant style that utilises a sturdy mid-block setup off the back.

Leverkusen's midfield control, led by players like Florian Wirtz and Granit Xhaka, who has been instrumental this season in linking play between the midfield and attack, will be crucial. They will look to dominate possession and build attacks at speed. In contrast, Stuttgart might adopt a more pragmatic approach for this one, using their effective midblock to stifle Leverkusen's buildup.

In recent meetings, Bayer Leverkusen have had the upper hand over Stuttgart, winning three out of the last five encounters. However, Stuttgart have shown that they are capable of upsetting the odds, having taken two victories from those same meetings. The head-to-head record suggests a competitive match, with both sides having the quality to take all three points.

This Saturday's clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart is a showcase of the best that German football has to offer this season. For Leverkusen, the game is an opportunity to edge closer to a historic points record and an unbeaten season. For Stuttgart, it is a chance to solidify their Champions League credentials and prove their mettle against the league's best.

Leverkusen Team News

Leverkusen are doing excellently on the injury front and come into this game will a fully fit side.

Xabi Alonso opted to rest the likes of Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface at Borussia Dortmund last weekend so expect those names to come back into the starting lineup here.

Stuttgart Team News

Serhou Guirassy and Deniz Undav will both lead the line for Stuttgart while Brighton loanee Mahmoud Dahoud could come into the starting XI following the weekend’s performance by the team.

Nikolas Nartey, Josha Vagnoman, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Anthony Rouault are all expected to miss out once again.

Leverkusen’s form is typically very good as they enter this game with three wins and two draws from their last five games. Their most recent game saw them provide yet another last-gasp goal, something that has been a feature for Leverkusen all season, in a 1-1 draw away at Borussia Dortmund, where Josip Stanišić guided the ball into the net following a corner in the 7th minute of injury time.

This result followed on from a 1-1 draw away at West Ham where Jeremie Frimpong rescued a draw with an 89th-minute equaliser. Before that, Leverkusen beat Werder Bremen 5-0, West Ham 2-0 and Union Berlin 1-0, with the likes of Florian Wirtz, Victor Boniface and Granit Xhaka all getting on the scoresheet in that period.

On their own patch, Leverkusen have won all of their last five games in front of their own fans by a combined scoreline of 16-3.

Stuttgart are coming into this game in good form on the whole having won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five games. Their most recent game was a frustrating 2-1 defeat away at Werder Bremen where Deniz Undav's goal was not enough to help them avoid defeat.

Prior to that, Stuttgart claimed an impressive pair of wins with a 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, thanks to goals from Guirassy, Undav and Jamie Leweling, which followed an entertaining 3-3 draw with Heidenheim and a 3-0 win over Hoffenheim, with the likes of Angelo Stiller and Enzo Millot getting on the scoresheet in addition to Guirassy and Undav further adding to their tally.

Stuttgart have been very good away from home on the whole as they come into this one having won four of their last five games on the road.

Leverkusen seem utterly incapable of losing and despite the fact Stuttgart are more than worthy opponents it feels unwise to back anything other than a home win. Leverkusen don't look like slowing down and in front of their own fans, where they're even better, they should register yet another win. Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Stuttgart.

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Stuttgart will be available to watch on the Peacock Network (An NBC live-streaming Platform)