Stuttgart vs RB Leipzig: Match Preview and Prediction

March 15, 2026 8:30 PM. Stuttgart. Mercedes-Benz Arena
Bundesliga, Matchday 26

Stuttgart – RB Leipzig

Where to watch: Setanta Sports

Players who may miss the match: Lazar Jovanovic, Joša Wagnoman – Xavier Schlager, Assan Ouedraogo, Kosta Nedeljkovic, Peter Gulacci, Viggo Goebel

Stuttgart – RB Leipzig: Bookmakers' odds

On paper, the central match of Matchday 26 in the Bundesliga is Saturday's clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich. After all, it's the league leaders taking on the team in sixth place. But to be honest, the real highlight for me is Sunday's battle between Stuttgart and Leipzig, the fourth and fifth teams in the table. Why? Because this match promises to be a real competition. The result remains unknown; these teams are evenly matched and there could be many surprises. Instead, the intrigue between Bayer and Bayern seems more theoretical than real. I doubt this version of Bayer has what it takes to throw Bayern off balance. I would be shocked if it didn't end in a comfortable victory for Vincent Kompany's team.

The bookmakers' odds support this view. Even against such an opponent, and despite playing in Leverkusen, Bayern remain the clear favorites. But what about the Stuttgart vs. RB Leipzig match? There is no clear favorite here. The chances of victory are about 50/50 for both. The winner could significantly boost their Champions League hopes. The loser? They face a tougher road as the season draws to a close.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart's recent performances have caused some concern in the camp. Just when things seemed to be moving towards a top-four finish, trouble came out of nowhere. They failed to beat Heidenheim (3-3), the team in last place in the league. Then a draw with Mainz (2-2). And a home defeat to Porto in the Europa League (1-2). If this trend continues, what could have been a solid season could be ruined. Sixth place is only three points behind. Stuttgart will certainly not drop any lower, but settling for sixth place would be disappointing - it would mean a place in the Conference League or the Europa League. Stuttgart's dreams are focused on the Champions League. And a loss to Porto in Europe, even against a worthy opponent, would be painful.

To make matters worse, they have all got tough games ahead of them – RB Leipzig, Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht and others. With their current form, staying in the top four will be a real challenge.

RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig will benefit from missing out on European competition this season, keeping their energy up. It doesn't always pay off, but it generally gives them an edge. Let's take it now: Stuttgart have just lost to Porto and next week they have to plan a comeback in the Europa League, while chasing Bundesliga points. Leipzig? They are focused solely on the league. It could be decisive in the end. The rest of their schedule looks better than their competition, which is another key factor. I'd be surprised if the Saxons don't take advantage of that. They don't even need a win over Stuttgart - a draw would be enough, and then wait for their opponents to play badly.

Stuttgart - RB Leipzig: Predicted Lineups

Stuttgart – RB Leipzig: Author's Prediction

RB Leipzig and Stuttgart usually show effective, attacking football, full of goals. Both teams score and concede a lot, especially recently. So I bet on more than 3.5 goals in this match.