Preview: Stuttgart vs. Bayer Leverkusen - prediction, team news, lineups

Stuttgart play host to Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday afternoon looking to end a three-match winless streak in the Bundesliga.

While the home side are down in 10th position in the table, Leverkusen currently occupy sixth spot after collecting seven points from a possible 12.

Match preview

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On the back of defeats to RB Leipzig and Freiburg, Stuttgart were under pressure to get back on track when they travelled to Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend.

Trailing by a goal and at a player disadvantage, the writing looked to be on the wall for Pellegrino Matarazzo's side heading into the closing stages.

However, Omar Marmoush marked his first outing since arriving on loan from Wolfsburg with an 88th-minute equaliser, keeping Stuttgart a point above the relegation zone.

Matarazzo will hope that the goal will act as the catalyst for better things to come, particularly with a favourable schedule ahead of his side until the middle of November.

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At a time when Stuttgart had already begun preparations for this fixture, Leverkusen were focused on trying to start their Europa League campaign with victory over Ferencvaros.

Gerardo Seoane's side made hard work of the game, initially falling behind to their Hungarian opponents, but Leverkusen eventually recovered to post a 2-1 victory.

Eighteen-year-old Florian Wirtz, who has been linked with a number of European football's top clubs, continued his remarkable start to the season with his sixth goal contribution in just 205 minutes of football.

Seoane will not want to rely too heavily on a player of his age, but Wirtz has arguably emerged as the most productive teenager in world football this season.

Leverkusen's only defeat thus far came against Borussia Dortmund after the international break, their rivals rallying during the closing quarter to claim a 4-3 triumph at the BayArena.

Team News

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Stuttgart will be without Waldermar Anton after the defender was sent off during the closing stages against Frankfurt.

Atakan Karazor could drop into the back three, with Orel Mangala potentially deputising at right wing-back as Matarazzo continues to contend with widespread selection issues.

Mitchel Bakker should return at left-back for Leverkusen with Daley Sinkgraven picking up an injury on Thursday night.

Charles Aranguiz and Patrik Schick may also come back into the starting lineup after their substitute appearances against Ferencvaros.

Paulinho will also hope for a recall on one of the flanks after providing an assist during the Dortmund game.

Stuttgart possible starting lineup:
Muller; Kempf, Karazor, Mavropanos; Mangala, Klement, Endo, Massimo, Sosa; Klimowicz; Marmoush

Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Frimpong, Tah, Kossounou, Bakker; Palacios, Aranguiz; Diaby, Wirtz, Paulinho; Schick

We say: Stuttgart 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Everything points to Leverkusen prevailing from this contest, potentially by a narrow margin. However, we are backing the home side to get back on track with a point, earning a result which could kick-start their season.