VfB Stuttgart vs Bayer Leverkusen - Bundesliga

VfB Stuttgart prepare to host Bayer Leverkusen at the home ground on May 9, 2026, with both sides eager to assert their credentials and claim a result that could define their Bundesliga season. It has not been a daunting fixture list but there are signs that Mourinho has found a way to get the best from an increasingly stacked Madrid squad.

The standings paint a clear picture: VfB Stuttgart in 4th, Bayer Leverkusen in 6th, and both keen to climb. VfB Stuttgart have blown hot and cold, L across their last five and a win rate of 33.33% that leaves room for improvement. The visitors have been a mixed bag on the road, D in their last five and a win rate of 33.33% reflecting their unpredictability. One side has leaned on a miserly defence, the other on a free-scoring attack, and the meeting of those contrasting strengths promises an intriguing tactical subtext. That result ended the European giants' 14-game unbeaten run in the competition, as Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham were contained by an "incredible" performance from a player barely anyone outside of France had heard of.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. VfB Stuttgart may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Bayer Leverkusen have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: "If I’m Manchester United right now, I say press the green button and buy him, take him, right now.

Individual moments of quality could tip the balance. Both sides possess players capable of producing something out of nothing, and a single flash of brilliance may be all that separates them. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Lionel Messi’s first goal for Inter Miami post-World Cup compared to Picasso painting.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. Backed by home advantage and superior form, VfB Stuttgart ought to prevail — a 4-3 victory looks the logical call. More than just three points is on the line at the home ground — this is a fixture that could shape the narrative of both clubs' seasons. Manchester City will begin another Premier League season with major uncertainty hanging over the club after league chief executive Richard Masters admitted the long-awaited verdict on their financial case has taken longer than expected.