VfB Stuttgart vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen will enter their 26th Bundesliga match of the season under immense pressure as they prepare for an away fixture against Stuttgart at MHPArena. With the league campaign gradually approaching its climax, every point is crucial for Leverkusen, especially as they trail league leaders Bayern Munich by eight points. Having suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Werder Bremen on March 8, Leverkusen must regain their composure and return to winning ways if they wish to keep their title hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Stuttgart, currently positioned eighth in the league standings, will be looking to make a statement of their own. Their hopes of securing a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League remain intact, as they sit just five points behind fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt. However, if they are to stay within reach of the top four, they must navigate their upcoming fixtures with precision, beginning with this challenging encounter against a wounded yet dangerous Leverkusen side.

Stuttgart's most recent Bundesliga outing saw them held to a dramatic 2-2 draw against Holstein Kiel on March 8. Despite being reduced to 10 men following Leonidas Stergiou’s dismissal in the 53rd minute, they responded impressively by scoring just two minutes later. While their resilience in that fixture was commendable, their ongoing defensive struggles will undoubtedly be a cause for concern. Manager Sebastian Hoeness has been unable to guide his team to a clean sheet in their past seven Bundesliga matches, a worrying trend ahead of a clash against a side as potent as Leverkusen.

Looking at their recent record against Sunday’s opponents, Stuttgart will need to be wary. Though they managed to hold Leverkusen to a goalless draw in their last Bundesliga meeting on November 1, their overall record against Die Schwarzroten is bleak. They have only managed to win one of their last 28 encounters against the visitors, an alarming statistic that does not bode well for their chances of success. Stuttgart will also need to overcome their poor recent form, having failed to secure a victory in their last four matches, a stretch that includes two defeats. In their last seven league matches, they have managed just one win, alongside two draws and four losses. Their home form has also been far from encouraging, as they have suffered defeats in four of their last five Bundesliga fixtures at MHPArena, including three consecutive losses at the venue.

Leverkusen, on the other hand, have their own struggles to contend with. Despite their dominance in possession against Werder Bremen, where they controlled 73% of the ball, their inefficiency in front of goal ultimately led to their downfall. The likes of Emiliano Buendia and Amine Adli squandered crucial opportunities, leaving their side empty-handed. Compounding their woes, Leverkusen were also eliminated from the UEFA Champions League on March 5 after succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against Bayern Munich in the second leg of their round of 16 tie. Having lost 5-0 on aggregate, their European campaign came to a bitter end, adding further disappointment to an already frustrating period.

Xabi Alonso now faces the challenge of steering his team back on course following a difficult run of results. The defeat to Bayern marked their third consecutive loss, with two of those setbacks coming against the Bavarian giants. Such a poor run of form is unusual for Leverkusen, as they had not endured three successive defeats since August 2022. Of particular concern will be their issues in attack. Not only have they failed to score in their last three games, but they have also struggled in front of goal in two of their previous four matches before that. Their lack of cutting edge in the final third must be addressed if they are to rediscover their winning touch.

With their Champions League aspirations now extinguished, Alonso and his players will be shifting their focus towards domestic success. The DFB-Pokal remains a viable route to silverware, but in the Bundesliga, time is running out. With only nine matches remaining, Leverkusen will have little margin for error as they attempt to challenge Bayern’s supremacy. While they have only suffered two defeats in the league this season, their recent slump has cast doubts over their ability to sustain a title push.

Their performances on the road have been inconsistent, which adds another layer of complexity to their upcoming fixture. In their last six away matches across all competitions, they have registered two wins, two draws, and two defeats. Given Stuttgart’s struggles at home, this encounter presents an opportunity for Leverkusen to end their winless run and reignite their season.

Ultimately, Sunday’s showdown at MHPArena carries significant implications for both sides. Stuttgart will be aiming to bolster their European ambitions, while Leverkusen must claim maximum points to keep their Bundesliga title hopes alive. With both teams struggling for form, the contest could prove to be a closely contested affair. Stuttgart’s defensive vulnerabilities and Leverkusen’s attacking inefficiencies create an intriguing dynamic, and the outcome may well hinge on which side can capitalize on their opponent’s weaknesses. As the two teams prepare for battle, the stakes could not be higher, making this a must-watch fixture for Bundesliga enthusiasts.