Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart 24/11/18

24 November 2018

Bayer Leverkusen will host Stuttgart at the BayArena, looking to end a 2-game Bundesliga losing streak, while the visitors hope for a back-to-back victory at this venue following last year’s 1-0 triumph.

After a slow start of the season, the Company XI have raised their game for a while but have failed to maintain a promising spell for long. With a record of three wins, two draws, and six defeats, the hosts are one of the most unpredictable sides in the German top flight. Heiko Herrlich’s players have conceded seven goals in the past two games, 24 overall, which puts them among the worst defensive teams in the Bundesliga along with Nurnberg, Stuttgart, and Fortuna Dusseldorf. With just one success out of five matches in front of the home crowd, Leverkusen are the league’s second-worst home team, and with 13 goals allowed, they have the worst defensive home record in the Bundesliga. Herrlich’s team have kept a clean sheet just twice this season, having failed to find the back of the net three times in the process.

On the other hand, with a record of two wins, two draws, and seven defeats, the visitors are sitting rock-bottom, as the joint-worst attacking team in the Bundesliga. The Swabians have barely bagged eight goals in the league so far, having conceded 24 in the process. Moreover, before a 2-0 win over Nurnberg, Markus Weinzierl’s players have lost three consecutive games on the road, allowing 13 goals in the opening four matches away from home. A 64% of Stuttgart’s league clashes have ended with a minimum of three goals, with the Swabians failing to keep a clean sheet nine times in the opening 11 fixtures. Meanwhile, Mario Gomez and his fellow Stuttgart teammates have struggled to find the back of the net seven times so far, more than any other team in the German top flight.

Provisional line-up – Bayer Leverkusen:

Gk: Hradecky Defense: Tah – Jedvaj – Sven Bender – Wendell – Weiser Midfield: Lars Bender – Aranguiz – Havertz Attack: Brandt – Volland

Provisional line-up – Stuttgart:

Gk: Zieler Defense: Baumgartl – Pavard – Kempf – Maffeo – Beck Midfield: Aogo – Ascacibar – Gentner Attack: Mario Gomez – Nicolas Gonzalez