Bundesliga: Will We Witness Another Goalfest at the BayArena?

Bayer Leverkusen vs VfB Stuttgart

The Bundesliga contest between Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart is easily one of the top matches to look out for in the ninth matchday of the 2024-25 campaign.

This fixture pits together two bitter rivals who are looking to make it to the Top 4, especially the hosts since they are the defending German top-flight champions.

Bayer Leverkusen are currently in third place with 15 points and are in a three-way tie with Union Berlin and SC Freiburg. VfB Stuttgart, despite sitting in eighth place, are not far behind with 12 points.

Getting all three points in this fixture is imperative for Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart, so expect these two sides to go all out this Friday evening at the BayArena.

Learn more about these teams, as SBOTOP is here for the preview of this high-profile clash.

 

Talking Points

Rotation players making a strong case for more Bayer Leverkusen minutes

Bayer Leverkusen needed a shot in the arm after dropping points against Werder Bremen, and they got it when they defeated Elversberg 3-0 yesterday to book their place in the DFB-Pokal Round of 16.

Because of the short turnaround between matches, Xabi Alonso had to rotate his squad, and it worked as substitutes Patrik Schick and Aleix Garcia found the back of the net.

Schick turned in Nathan Tella’s cross in the second minute and grabbed another goal seven minutes later via a tap-in after a howler from the Elversberg goalie.

The match was essentially over during the 36^th minute when Aleix Garcia fired a superb free-kick from distance to give Die Werkself a 3-0 halftime lead to finally open his Bayer Leverkusen account.

Bayer Leverkusen have now scored in each of their last 34 DFB-Pokal games, which is a club record. Xabi Alonso’s men have also kept four straight clean sheets in this competition.

Schick will continue to be the backup striker behind Victor Boniface, but for Aleix Garcia, he is hoping to start in more games in midfield.

But that might not happen this weekend since Robert Andrich is expected to reclaim his spot after coming off the bench against Elversberg.

 

VfB Stuttgart lose key defender

VfB Stuttgart might find it harder than usual to defend Bayer Leverkusen on Friday since one of their top defenders is unavailable this weekend.

Centre- back Jeff Chabot will have to serve his suspension after being sent off against Holstein Kiel because he accumulated two yellow cards, which head coach Sebastian Hoeneß does not agree with.

Chabot has already become indispensable at VfB Stuttgart because he has stepped up this season following Waldemar Anton’s departure this summer.

With Chabot sidelined, Anthony Rouault will likely start to join Anrie Chase at centre-half.

In other Bundesliga 2024 news, Enzo Millot, Jamie Leweling, and Deniz Undav all came off the bench in VfB Stuttgart’s 2-1 victory over FCK last night in the DFB-Pokal second round, so they should regain their spots in the starting XI on Friday.

 

History

Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart have already faced off at the start of this season, with the former beating the latter to win the DFL-Supercup in August.

Die Werkself were reduced to 10 men when Martin Terrier was sent off before halftime, but they eventually won 4-3 in the penalty shootout for Xabi Alonso’s third trophy with the team.

VfB Stuttgart have won just one of their last 27 competitive meetings with Bayer Leverkusen (D8, L18), with their last win being a 1-0 result in April 2018.

The visitors have found it hard to close out Bayer Leverkusen, as they’ve led in each of their five competitive games under Sebastian Hoeneß before dropping points.

If Bayer Leverkusen stay unbeaten against VfB Stuttgart on Friday, it’ll mark the first time they’ve gone undefeated against them in 14 straight games.

 

Betting Tip

The Bundesliga 2024 odds expect a walk in the park for Bayer Leverkusen this weekend. Xabi Alonso’s side is priced at 1.50 to win, while VfB Stuttgart are at 4.76, and a draw is at 4.38 in the 1X2 market.

However, we believe that this is going to be another close encounter, based on their recent meetings. Instead of guessing the winner, we’re predicting another high-scoring contest at the BayArena.

Total Goals 4-6 at 2.25 is our recommended bet, while you may also go for Over 3.25 at 1.77, Over 3.50 at 1.99, or Over 3.75 at 2.20. Furthermore, a Correct Score of 2-2 – the result of their last two clashes – has a big offer of 13.50.

   

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