Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart

BayArena forms the backdrop for a handsomely-looking Bundesliga clash between newly-crowned champions Bayer Leverkusen and top-four hopefuls Stuttgart. 

Bayer Leverkusen preserved their aura of invincibility with another last-gasp equalizer, netting in the 97th minute to hold Borussia Dortmund to a 1-1 draw last weekend. That result helped Die Werkself become the first club in Bundesliga history to enter Gameweek 31 without a single loss (W25, D5) while extending their unbeaten streak in all competitions to a record-breaking 45 games! However, Xabi Alonso’s men have flirted with defeat lately, salvaging back-to-back draws with goals beyond the 85th minute. They’ve been a different kind of beast at home, winning their last nine home league outings while netting a jaw-dropping 11 unanswered goals across their three most recent top-flight matches at the BayArena. Another high-scoring contest is on the cards, with Leverkusen winning their last four home league meetings with Stuttgart by a combined score of 13-4.

On the other hand, Stuttgart’s incredible bid to secure Champions League qualification took a minor blow last weekend as they lost 2-1 at Werder Bremen, relinquishing a stunning nine-game unbeaten league run (W7, D2). Manager Sebastian Hoeness has barely lost any sleep over that setback, knowing his men boast a six-point lead on fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund. Interestingly, the visitors remain the only side in the Bundesliga yet to draw an away league match this season (W9, L6), with the abovementioned defeat at Werder knocking them down from a four-game winning streak on the road. Breaking the deadlock could be crucial for Stuttgart’s effort to post their first win at the BayArena since April 2018. Each of their nine away league wins this term has seen them score first.