Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak in the 2023-24 season faces a challenge in the DFB-Pokal quarter-final as they welcome Stuttgart to BayArena on Tuesday.
This match marks the first time Xabi Alonso’s team will face a top-tier opponent in this year’s cup, while Stuttgart has already ousted Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund in earlier rounds.
Match Preview
Everyone is eager to see how Bayer Leverkusen will tackle Tuesday’s game against Stuttgart, aiming to keep their unbeaten record intact. This record reached 29 matches following a 2-0 win against Darmstadt on Saturday.
Nathan Tella stood out by scoring twice, helping the Bundesliga leaders maintain a two-point lead over Bayer Munich before their crucial match on February 10.
The significance of the upcoming games has everyone watching how Alonso will manage this critical week, which could see them drop out of the cup and potentially lose their lead in the league.
With Bayern Munich resting this week, Leverkusen’s strategy for the Stuttgart match remains uncertain, as they aim to win their first Pokal title since 1992-93.
Given the packed schedule, Bayer might rotate their squad, especially with a significant league game against Bayern Munich looming.
Stuttgart heads to Leverkusen on a high after consecutive Bundesliga victories, despite recent struggles in the league.
Their recent away win against Freiburg broke a streak of away losses, boosting their confidence for the clash against unbeaten Leverkusen.
Stuttgart, with three Pokal titles to their name, the last in 1997, aims for a strong showing, buoyed by their success against Bundesliga teams like Union Berlin and Dortmund.
Having progressed through three rounds without conceding a goal, Stuttgart is ready to challenge Leverkusen and possibly unsettle them before their big game against Bayern Munich.
Bayer Leverkusen DFB-Pokal Form:
W W W
Bayer Leverkusen Form (All Competitions):
W W W W D W
Stuttgart DFB-Pokal Form:
W W W
Stuttgart Form (All Competitions):
L W L L W W
Team News
Edmond Tapsoba is back for Leverkusen after his AFCON 2023 duties and is expected to start on Tuesday.
Odilon Kossounou will miss another week due to Ivory Coast’s progress in AFCON, despite his red card against Mali.
Injuries will keep Victor Boniface, Exequiel Palacios, and Arthur out of the quarter-final game.
For Stuttgart, Denis Undav, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, is likely to lead the attack after scoring four goals in his last two league games, including a hat-trick against RB Leipzig.
Serhou Guirassy’s participation is uncertain after his return from the Cup of Nations with Guinea.
Silas Katompa Mvumpa and Woo-yeong Jeong are absent due to international duties, while Dan-Axel Zagadou and Nikolas Nartey are out with knee injuries.
Bayer Leverkusen Possible Starting Lineup:
Kovar;
Stanisic, Tah, Tapsoba;
Tella, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo;
Hofmann, Hlozek;
Schick
Stuttgart Possible Starting Lineup:
Nubel;
Stergiou, Anton, Rouault;
Vagnoman, Karazor, Stiller, Mittelstadt;
Millot, Fuhrich;
Undav
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Stuttgart
Bayer Leverkusen, having achieved their longest unbeaten run last Saturday, is expected to clinch a victory against Stuttgart, despite potential changes in the lineup.
