Victor Boniface and Bayer Leverkusen will be aiming to preserve their unbeaten record when they welcome Stuttgart to the Bay Arena on Saturday. The newly-crowned Bundesliga champions are yet to taste defeat in all competitions this season – an impressive run that now stretches to 45 matches, surpassing the previous record of 43 set by Juventus in the 2011/12 season.
However, Leverkusen have come close to losing their invincibility in each of their last two games; against West Ham United in the UEFA Europa League and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga last week. They needed late goals to avoid defeat on both occasions.
While third-placed Stuttgart are underdogs ahead of this weekend’s game, Sebastian Hoeness’ side are currently high-flying in the German top-flight and are primed to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League as they sit four points above fourth-placed Leipzig, and a further two ahead of Dortmund in fifth position.
Quick stats
- Leverkusen are unbeaten throughout the season, while Stuttgart have lost just once in their last five matches
- Xabi Alonso's troops have scored nine goals in their last four matches, while Stuttgart have scored eight in their last four games
- Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 10 meetings against Stuttgart, winning seven times, with the other three ending in stalemates
- Leverkusen and Stuttgart have already met twice this season in the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal, with the former ending in a draw while Xavi Alonso's side won the latter 3-2.
Match preview
Stuttgart haven’t had any joy against Leverkusen in recent years, but this is a fixture that rarely ends goalless. While Die Werkself have already been crowned Bundesliga champions, they are now aiming to attain immortality by finishing the campaign unbeaten.
With just four matches left and having already taken care of Bayern Munich and Dortmund, an invincible season should not be out of their reach with just four matches left, but Stuttgart will be no pushovers. The Reds held Leverkusen to a 1-1 draw earlier in the season and ran Alonso’s side very close in the German Cup, where they narrowly lost 3-2.
It is, however, an opportunity for Victor Boniface to add to his goal tally. The Nigeria international, who boasts 18 goals this season, has seen his minutes managed since he returned from a three-month injury layoff, but that hasn’t stopped him from posting a return of two goals in his last four matches.
Boniface’s compatriot Nathan Tella would also be hoping to start against Stuttgart after starting Leverkusen’s last three matches. The 24-year-old has become one of Alonso’s most trusted lieutenants, as his versatility allows him to play on either side of the wing-back positions, while he can also play as part of the front three.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart H2H: Last 10 games
February 6, 2024 – Leverkusen 3-2 Stuttgart
December 10, 2023 – Stuttgart 1-1 Leverkusen
May 14, 2023 – Stuttgart 1-1 Leverkusen
November 12, 2022 – Leverkusen 2-0 Stuttgart
February 12, 2022 – Leverkusen 4-2 Stuttgart
September 19, 2021 – Stuttgart 1-3 Leverkusen
February 6, 2021 – Leverkusen 5-2 Stuttgart
October 3, 2020 – Stuttgart 1-1 Leverkusen
February 5, 2020 – Leverkusen 2-1 Stuttgart
April 13, 2019 – Stuttgart 0-1 Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart prediction
Leverkusen should be outright favourites going into this game but Alonso has an eye on Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg against AS Roma, and with nothing to play for in the Bundesliga, he might rest his key players.
That opens the door for Stuttgart to spring a surprise. The Reds might be no match for a full-strength Leverkusen side, but they have a formidable team that is capable of going toe-to-toe with Die Werkself’s fringe side.
That said, Alonso will likely give some minutes to Boniface by starting him against Stuttgart to continue his build-up towards regaining full fitness. Considering Stuttgart are desperate to seal Champions League qualification, this game could end in a score draw.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart: Possible line-ups
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Stanisic, Tah, Tabsoba; Tella, Palacios, Andrich, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface
Stuttgart possible starting lineup:
Nubel; Stenzel, Anton, Ito, Mittelstadt; Leweling, Karazor, Dahoud, Fuhrich; Undav, Guirassy
