The Bundesliga’s race for the Champions League reaches a fever pitch this Sunday evening as VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig square off in a high-stakes “six-pointer.” Both sides sit locked on 47 points with only goal difference separating them in 4th and 5th place. With just nine games left in the season, this clash at the MHPArena could well decide who gets a seat at Europe’s top table next year.
Sebastian Hoeneß has turned the MHPArena into a literal fortress. Stuttgart have lost only once at home in the league all season, a record they’ll be desperate to protect after a frustrating week that saw them drop points late against Mainz and suffer a narrow European defeat to Porto. The Swabians play a high-octane, possession-heavy style that usually overwhelms visitors, but they’ll need to be clinical to get past a resurgent Leipzig.
Ole Werner’s Leipzig, meanwhile, have found their second wind. After a shaky start to 2026, they arrive in Stuttgart on the back of consecutive 2-1 wins. They already have the psychological edge this season, having beaten Stuttgart 3-1 back in November. While their away form has been hit-or-miss, Leipzig’s ability to strike on the counter remains their deadliest weapon.
Team News & Tactical Outlook
Stuttgart’s main concern is at the back. Josha Vagnoman is a major doubt with a thigh issue, which could see Lorenz Assignon keep his spot. The real pressure, however, is on the disciplinary tightrope: stars Deniz Undav, Ermedin Demirović, and Jamie Leweling are all just one yellow card away from a suspension.
Leipzig are still missing veteran keeper Péter Gulácsi, meaning Maarten Vandevoordt continues between the sticks. Xaver Schlager has returned to fitness but likely starts on the bench as Werner sticks with the midfield that ground out the win against Augsburg.
• Prediction: This has “goals” written all over it. Both teams average nearly two goals a game and rarely play out boring draws. Expect a chaotic, end-to-end affair where home advantage might just tip the scales. 2-2 draw or a narrow 3-2 Stuttgart win.
