Bundesliga 2022-23: VfB Stuttgart vs RB Leipzig: Predicted Lineup, injury news, head-to-head

The Swabians host the Red Bulls at the Mercedes Benz Arena on Friday night.

VfB Stuttgart are in a miserable position in the Bundesliga table. From 2014-15 to 2021/22, Stuttgart only finished twice in the top 10 of the Bundesliga table. Last season they finished in 15th place, just one spot above relegation. It's fair to say Stuttgart are in the same state in which they were last season. As of now, they are 14th in the Bundesliga table with only 16 points. One loss could possibly send them to the relegation zone.

RB Leipzig are prominently rising to become one of the best clubs in Germany. Besides the usual Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, it is fair to say that RB Leipzig are the best club around currently. The Red Bulls are currently in 2nd place with 32 points. They can close the pressure on Bayern Munich provided the Bavarians lose.

Kick-off : Saturday, 28 January, 1:00 am (IST), 7:30 pm (GMT)

VfB Stuttgart Form (All Competitions): L-W-D-D-D

RB Leipzig Form (All Competitions) : W-W-W-D-W

Players To Watch

VFB Stuttgart

Konstantinos Mavropanos

Mavropanos is a right-central defender at VfB Stuttgart. The 25-year-old is in the top 5 of blocked shots in the Bundesliga. He is also in the top 10 in challenges won in Bundesliga. Mavropanos signed a new deal with Arsenal in July 2020 and then joined VfB Stuttgart. There are some clubs who are supposedly in the race for the Stuttgart defender.

RB Leipzig

Emil Forsberg

RB Leipzig's Mr Reliable has shown up when his club needed him the most. The DFB Pokal winners made it to two finals consecutively. They, unfortunately, lost to Borussia Dortmund in the 2020/21 season. However, Forsberg scored a last-minute winner against Werder Bremen in the DFB Pokal semi-finals last season. Emil showed up yet again in the 2021/22 season scoring a 92nd-minute winner against Union Berlin. Overall he has scored 11 goals and has 5 assists in the 2021/22 season. Emil has also been reliable from the penalty spot converting all seven of his penalties. He has scored 4 goals and has 5 assists in the 2022/23 season.

Match Facts:

• RB Leipzig has completely dominated VfB Stuttgart in their meetings. The goal difference is 16-2 between them.

• Three matches have ended with the result of 2-0.

• VfB Stuttgart has not won any match against RB Leipzig in 9 matches.

Injury And Team News

VfB Stuttgart will travel without midfielder Ahamada after his dismissal against Hoffenheim. Dan-Axel Zagadou, Borna Sosa, and Laurin Ulrich are all out because of injuries.

RB Leipzig on the other hand are missing some key players as well. Kevin Kampl received his 5th booking of the season despite coming on as a substitute in the 85th minute. Abdou Diallo, Christopher Nkunku, Peter Gulasci, Mohamad Simakan, are all unavailable for selection.

Head-to-Head Stats:

Matches: 9

VfB Stuttgart : 0

Draw: 2

RB Leipzig: 7

Predicted Line-up:

VfB Stuttgart Starting XI: Muller,Anton, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Ito, Nartey,Vagnoman, Millot, Karazor, Endo, Fuhrich, Guirassy

RB Leipzig Starting XI: Blaswich, Henrichs, Orban, Gvardiol, Halstenberg,Konrad Laimer, Schlager,Dominik Szoboszlai,Dani Olmo,Andre Silva, Werner

Prediction

RB Leipzig will surely dominate VfB Stuttgart. Leipzig are currently second in the Bundesliga table and are looking to chase the lead against Bayern. If the Bavarians will lose a match then RB Leipzig have a great chance to win the league.

Prediction: VfB Stuttgart 0-3 RB Leipzig

Telecast

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