Bundesliga: Leipzig and Stuttgart Battle for the Best of the Rest

RB Leipzig vs VfB Stuttgart

As things stand, RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart are the closest challengers to Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga reign this season. These two teams are the second and third seeds in the German top-flight, and they will meet at the Red Bull Arena this Saturday.

Since their 6-0 collapse against Bayern Munich on the first matchday, RB Leipzig have gone undefeated in eight consecutive games across all competitions (D1). Ole Werner’s men just pulled off a 4-1 win over Energie Cottbus to advance to the DFB-Pokal third round, and they’re second in the standings with 19 points, five points adrift of Bayern Munich.

Sitting in third are VfB Stuttgart, who are unbeaten in their last five league matches. Sebastian Hoeneß’ side is only one point behind RB Leipzig and has an important DFB-Pokal second-round match later.

Check out today’s SBOTOP match preview by continuing to read below.

 

Talking Points

Baumgartner setting an example for RB Leipzig

Christoph Baumgartner is arguably RB Leipzig’s most in-form player right now, as he has scored six goals in his last four appearances. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder scored the team’s only goal in their 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund. He bagged a brace in their 2-1 win over Hamburger SV and was part of their scoring barrage against Augsburg (6-0), before bagging another brace in last night’s 4-1 rout of Energie Cottbus in the DFB-Pokal.

All of a sudden, Baumgartner is in the thick of the Golden Boot race with five league goals. The Austrian international is level with Luis Diaz, Fisnik Asllani, and Can Uzun and one goal behind Jonathan Burkardt. He has stepped up as the team’s creative outlet, following the summer departure of Xavi Simons to Tottenham.

In addition to his goals, Baumgartner has also registered the most shot attempts at the club this term (19) – the joint-sixth most league-wide. He is also second in duels won (67), just two behind right-back Ridle Baku. 

RB Leipzig needs Baumgartner to continue to be at his best, as his production opens up opportunities for the likes of Romulo Cardoso, Johan Bakayoko, and Antonio Nusa to wreak havoc in the final third.

 

VfB Stuttgart could miss key defender

VfB Stuttgart have had a busy week, as they’re also playing in the Europa League this season. Given the club’s grueling schedule, head coach Sebastian Hoeneß faces the unenviable task of rotating his squad to avoid injuries.

In their 1-0 loss against Fenerbahce last Friday, Maximilian Mittlestadt played the full 90 minutes. However, the versatile left-back was absent in their 2-1 win against Mainz last Monday due to a knock. Die Schwaben will face Mainz for the second straight time in the DFB-Pokal later, and the team is sweating on Mittlestadt’s fitness.

We’re assuming that Hoeneß won’t play Mittlestadt later to save him for the RB Leipzig game. In the meantime, this would mean more playing time for Finn Jeltsch.

 

History

RB Leipzig vs. VfB Stuttgart has been one of the highest-scoring fixtures in Germany lately, as both sides have scored at least three goals in their previous six encounters across all competitions. 

Last season, VfB Stuttgart recorded a league double over RB Leipzig with an aggregate tally of 5-3. Die Schwaben also eliminated Die Roten Bullen in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals at the MHPArena last April, clinching their tickets to the finals. They went on to win against Arminia Bielefeld 4-2 in May, winning their first Cup since 1997. The final was also Sebastian Hoeneß’ 100th game as VfB Stuttgart manager.

RB Leipzig’s last win against VfB Stuttgart was a 5-1 result in August 2023, as they overturned a one-goal deficit by Serhou Guirassy in the first half. Benjamin Henrichs, Dani Olmo, Lois Openda, Kevin Kampl, and Xavi Simons masterminded the turnaround.

 

Betting Tip

The Bundesliga 2025 odds say we’re in for a relatively close fight at the Red Bull Arena this Saturday. Because they’re at home, RB Leipzig have the edge at 2.03, whereas VfB Stuttgart are pegged to win at 3.03, and a draw is at 3.59 in the 1X2 market.

Based on their recent encounters, fans should be able to get their fair share of Bundesliga 2025 highlights. Besides our recommended bet, bettors may also consider adding Over 3.00 at 1.73, Over 3.50 at 2.20, and even Total Goal 4-6 at 2.43 to the parlay. Moreover, a Correct Score of 3-2 in favour of VfB Stuttgart – the result of their previous league meeting – is on offer at a staggering 24.00 your bet.

   

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