RB Leipzig vs Stuttgart: Detailed Match Preview and Expert Prediction

Match Details: May 17, 2025 | 16:30 | Leipzig | Red Bull Arena
Bundesliga 2024-25 | Matchday 34

Suspended: Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig)

Injured: Benjamin Henrichs, Amadou Haidara – Leonidas Stergiou, Amin Al-Daahil, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Henri Chayse, Luca Raimund, Yannick Keitel, Angelo Stiller

Doubtful: Willi Orban, Xaver Schlager – Finn Jelts

RB Leipzig: Struggling to Secure European Football

Since their debut in the top flight, RB Leipzig have failed to qualify for the Champions League only once—in the 2017-18 season when Ralph Hasenhüttl's side finished sixth. However, this season things look bleak for the Saxons. Currently sitting 7th in the Bundesliga table, Leipzig share the same points as Mainz but trail by six goals on goal difference. With only one game left, they face the real possibility of missing out not just on the Champions League but European competitions altogether.

The responsibility for this slump rests solely with Leipzig. Under head coach Zsolt Löw, the team lost their DFB-Pokal debut against Stuttgart, exiting the cup early. Although they bounced back with consecutive league wins over Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg, Leipzig have gone winless for nearly a month. Dropping points at home to Holstein Kiel, suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt, and drawing both a thrilling 3-3 encounter with Bayern Munich and a goalless draw against Werder Bremen last weekend has left their European hopes hanging by a thread.

Stuttgart: Focused on Cup Glory Amid Mixed League Form

Stuttgart’s league campaign this season has been underwhelming compared to last year, but they have a chance to end the season on a high by clinching the DFB-Pokal. On May 24 in Berlin, they face the surprise package Arminia Bielefeld in the cup final. Under Sebastian Geness, Stuttgart are gradually building form, having secured back-to-back league wins recently to snap a three-match winless streak. These victories have lifted them to 9th place, though finishing higher than 8th is no longer possible.

In their recent fixtures, Stuttgart edged out St. Pauli away with a late winner from rising star Nik Woltremade, who has impressed all season. Last weekend, they rounded off their home league campaign emphatically by thrashing Augsburg 4-0. Playing most of the match with a numerical advantage from the 12th minute, goals from Atakan Karazor, Nik Woltremade, Enzo Miyo, and Ermedin Demirovic sealed a comfortable victory.

Probable Lineups and Key Absences

For Leipzig, Lukas Klostermann is suspended, while Benjamin Henrichs and Amadou Haidara remain sidelined with injuries. Willi Orban and Xaver Schlager’s participation is uncertain. Stuttgart will be without regulars Henri Chayse and Yannick Keitel, with their biggest blow being the injury to midfielder Angelo Stiller, who has reportedly attracted interest from Real Madrid.

Match Outlook: Leipzig Slight Favorites Despite Recent Woes

Stuttgart have the upper hand in recent head-to-heads, having won both the first-round Bundesliga clash (2-1) and the home DFB-Pokal semifinal (3-1), extending their winning streak against Leipzig to three consecutive matches—all on home turf. However, at the Red Bull Arena, Stuttgart have never managed to take points, scoring only in their last two of six visits.

With some remaining motivation to clinch European football, Leipzig are rightly considered favorites despite their patchy form. The stats and home advantage tip the scales in their favor, making this a fascinating showdown as the Bundesliga season draws to a close.