The Bundesliga season 2025/2026 delivers a mouth-watering clash this Saturday as high-flying RB Leipzig host an in-form VfB Stuttgart at the Red Bull Arena. Scheduled for a 14:30 UTC kick-off, this encounter pits two of the league’s most exciting teams against each other in a battle that could significantly impact the top end of the table. With both sides riding waves of impressive form, the question isn’t just who will win, but which team’s philosophy will prevail in what promises to be a pulsating contest. Will Leipzig continue their march towards the summit, or can Stuttgart extend their remarkable winning streak and solidify their surprising challenge? The stakes are incredibly high, with Champions League ambitions firmly in sight for both clubs.
Head-to-Head History: A Recent Shift in Power
Historically, matches between RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart have been anything but dull, often delivering thrilling encounters. In their 15 previous meetings, RB Leipzig holds the upper hand with 9 victories, while Stuttgart has secured 4 wins, and 2 matches have ended in a draw. Leipzig has also outscored Stuttgart with 29 goals to 17 in these fixtures.
Recent Meetings:
- 17 May 2025: RB Leipzig 2 – VfB Stuttgart 3
- 02 April 2025 (DFB Pokal): VfB Stuttgart 3 – RB Leipzig 1
- 15 January 2025: VfB Stuttgart 2 – RB Leipzig 1
- 27 January 2024: VfB Stuttgart 5 – RB Leipzig 2
- 25 August 2023: RB Leipzig 5 – VfB Stuttgart 1
- 27 January 2023: RB Leipzig 2 – VfB Stuttgart 1
Intriguingly, despite Leipzig’s historical advantage, Stuttgart has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in this fixture, winning their last four straight encounters against Die Roten Bullen, including a 3-2 victory at the Red Bull Arena in May 2025. These matches are also frequently high-scoring affairs, with over 2.5 goals seen in their last six meetings across all competitions, and both teams finding the net in seven of their last eight league clashes.
Current Form & Team News
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig enters this crucial fixture in formidable league form, currently sitting second in the Bundesliga with 19 points from 8 matches. Their recent league run has seen them claim four wins and one draw in their last five outings. This includes a commanding 6-0 away victory against Augsburg and a 4-1 DFB-Pokal triumph over Energie Cottbus, highlighting their offensive prowess.
However, Leipzig faces some significant team news challenges. Benjamin Henrichs is a confirmed absentee due to an Achilles tendon tear, while Kosta Nedeljkovic is sidelined with a knee stress reaction. Max Finkgräfe is doubtful, and Kevin Kampl will also miss out due to private reasons. Despite these setbacks, Leipzig boasts strong attacking options like Loïs Openda and Timo Werner, known for their pace, and creative forces such as Dani Olmo in attacking midfield, supported by defensive midfielders Xaver Schlager and Amadou Haidara.
VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart arrives in Leipzig boasting an even more impressive league record, currently on a five-match winning streak in the Bundesliga. They occupy third place in the table with 18 points, just one point behind their opponents. Their last league victory was a hard-fought 2-1 home win against Mainz 05, showcasing their resilience.
Stuttgart also has some injury concerns, with Maximilian Mittelstädt and Dan-Axel Zagadou both listed as doubtful. Manager Sebastian Hoeneß may look to rotate his squad, potentially recalling key players like Bilal El Khannouss, Angelo Stiller, and Tiago Tomas. Stuttgart’s attack has been potent, with Ermedin Demirovic leading the scoring charts with 5 goals, ably supported by Deniz Undav, Tiago Tomas, Bilal El Khannouss, and Nick Woltemade, each with 2 goals. Jamie Leweling has been a creative force with 3 assists, and goalkeeper Alexander Nübel has kept 5 clean sheets in their last 10 games.
Tactical Preview
Under coach Ole Werner, RB Leipzig typically employs a dynamic and flexible style, often utilizing a 4-2-2-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation. They are renowned for their high-intensity pressing, aggressive defensive setup, and quick transitions, often building play from the back with a combination of short passes and vertical movements. Their wide players and full-backs aim to stretch opposition defenses, creating space for central attackers to make incisive runs.
VfB Stuttgart, under Sebastian Hoeneß, has cultivated a possession-based approach, frequently transitioning into a 3-2-5 shape during build-up. Their wing-backs push high, providing width, while two players occupy the half-spaces to support a central striker. Stuttgart’s formations can be quite fluid, ranging from 3-2-4-1 to 3-4-2-1 and 4-3-3, emphasizing flexible and effective structures across the pitch, complemented by strong counter-pressing.
The midfield battle will be crucial, with Leipzig’s pressing game clashing against Stuttgart’s structured possession. Leipzig’s pace in attack, spearheaded by Openda and Werner, will test Stuttgart’s defensive organization. Conversely, Stuttgart’s in-form attackers like Undav and Demirovic will challenge Leipzig’s backline. Given the propensity for both teams to score and concede, defensive weaknesses could be exposed on either side, especially considering their history of high-scoring encounters. The match being played at Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena eliminates travel fatigue for the home side, though the typical cold November weather in Germany could be a minor factor.
