Stuttgart vs RB Leipzig preview: European contenders clash in huge encounter | OneFootball

VfB Stuttgart

Die Schwaben got back to winning ways against Augsburg on Sunday after falling to a shock defeat against St. Pauli prior to the winter break.

Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß did acknowledge, however, that his side was at a level far from their best at the WWK Arena.

“The first 30 minutes were really good. After that, we gave the ball away cheaply too often and lost our tempo. We invited the opposition onto us and lost control.”

“I think we improved again in the second half and had enough chances to score a second goal. The lads defender very well against a side desperate to get the three points at home.”

Stuttgart have won five and lost one of their last six matches, placing the club 7th in the Bundesliga standings, and supporters can only dream as to what would be possible had VfB not collected five draws thus far, with multiple being incredibly frustrating.

Team News

The winter break arrived perfectly for the hosts allowing Deniz Undav and Jamie Leweling ample time to recover and make their respective returns against Augsburg at the weekend.

Hoeneß is still awaiting the returns of El-Bilal Toure, Justin Diehl and Dan-Axel Zagadou however, and the momentary injury crisis that VfB suffered before Christmas may prompt the arrival of much-needed squad depth this January.

RB Leipzig

Overcoming Werder Bremen by four goals to two at home on Sunday, it was a fantastic start to the new year for Leipzig, who look to bury their tumultuous end to 2024 in the past.

The return of Xavi Simons was nothing short of spectacular against Bremen, with the Dutch international netting twice in fantastic fashion, whilst providing non-stop energy between the midfield and attacking lines for Marco Rose's men.

Benjamin Sesko and Christoph Baumgartner added two more goals for Die Roten Bullen in the second half, with Sesko's thumping effort from distance finding its deserving place among the Bundesliga goals of the season thus far.

In terms of their record on the road, however, things are far from positive for Leipzig, who have lost five of their last six on the road before their trip to MHPArena on Wednesday.

If the club is ready to leave the end of 2024 in the past, an away win against fellow European contenders would do Marco Rose and his men absolutely no harm.

Team News

After suffering a heartbreaking injury in the final stages of Leipzig's 5-1 defeat at the hands of Bayern München before the breaks, fullback Benjamin Henrichs will miss the remainder of the campaign.

Castello Lukeba also remains out with a hamstring problem, the same goes for Yousuff Poulsen who is suffering from a thigh injury.

Amadou Haidara is suspended for the trip to Stuttgart, making it likely that Arthur Vermeeren will operate in the middle of the park for the visitors.