Stuttgart’s cup lift tests Leverkusen’s response after Hoffenheim blow
Leverkusen need to respond to their 3–0 defeat at Hoffenheim, with Moussa Diaby ruled out and Loïc Badé’s availability uncertain after a head injury. Stuttgart have lost five of their seven league games, yet a midweek cup win and two victories over Leverkusen this year give them reasons not to fear the trip.
Leverkusen’s 3–0 loss at Hoffenheim ended a five-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga. Carles Martínez’s side now have a quick chance to respond at the BayArena, but Stuttgart arrive with a timely cup victory after their own league results had started to look worrying.
Leverkusen should edge a game that produces at least three goals, with Stuttgart likely to find a way onto the scoresheet too.
Moussa Diaby will miss Leverkusen’s upcoming matches after sustaining a thigh injury against Hoffenheim, while defender Loïc Badé suffered a concussion and a cut in the same game. Stuttgart’s last detailed injury update, issued before the match against Borussia Mönchengladbach, listed Josha Vagnoman as out and Nikolas Nartey, Tiago Tomás, Justin Diehl and Dan-Axel Zagadou as unavailable or in rehabilitation. Their status for Saturday has not been confirmed in a newer official update.
Leverkusen are fourth with 13 points from seven matches, having scored 16 goals and conceded 12. Stuttgart sit 15th on six points, with ten goals scored and 13 conceded. Leverkusen have three wins, a draw and a defeat in their last five league games; Stuttgart have managed one win and four defeats over the same span.
Stuttgart have won the last two league meetings between these sides. They won 4–1 at the BayArena in January and followed it with a 3–1 home victory in May, giving them a recent head-to-head advantage despite their poor start to this league campaign.
