Highlights
F. Zwayer
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0:32
Watch: Szoboszlai on his double against Stuttgart
90'
+ 7
Leipzig hold on
Stuttgart pushed them all the way in the second half, having been given a foothold in the game after Führich converted from the spot following Gvardiol's handball, but Leipzig take all three points to go second in the standings, overnight at least.
Full-time
90'
+ 6
Leipzig break again!
It's two on two as Poulsen drives forward on the counter. He tries to play Forsberg into space but the Swede has checked his run and Stuttgart clear the danger.
90'
+ 2
Laimer!
A brilliant break from Leipzig, playing their way out of tight spaces and eventually Forsberg sends Laimer through on goal. He could seal the deal here but his first touch isn't great and it allows Stuttgart time to recover.
90'
+ 1
Six more minutes
We're into the first minute of stoppage time. There's still plenty of time left for another goal!
86'
Last throw of the dice
Stuttgart have to go for it here if they're to snatch what would be a much-needed point, bringing on 21-year-olds Kuol and Egloff in an effort to force a goal.
86'
Substitution
86'
Substitution
84'
Super sub?
Poulsen scored when he came off the bench against Schalke earlier in the week. Can he do the same again here to ease the home side's nerves?
84'
Substitution
83'
Fatigue factor?
81'
Fresh legs at the back
Leipzig change both full-backs, leaving nothing to chance as they bid to see the result over the line. Stuttgart bring on Coulibaly for goalscorer Führich.
80'
Substitution
80'
Substitution
80'
Substitution
78'
Szoboszlai blocked
The Hungarian goes for his hat-trick, aiming for the far corner from a position just left of centre. A defender sticks out a leg to block his shot though.
Spot on
© Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
72'
Penalty woes
A whopping 24 of the last 25 penalties Leipzig have conceded have been scored, including each of the last 14.
70'
Tactical switch
Leipzig boss Marco Rose reacts to the goal by bringing on a defensive midfielder in Laimer for a striker, hoping to nip any Stuttgart hopes of a comeback in the bud.
69'
Substitution
68'
Back in it!
Führich takes and although Blaswich guesses the right way the ball has too much pace on it for him to keep out!
68'
Penalty to Stuttgart!
After a VAR review the referee consults the pitch-side monitor and awards Stuttgart a penalty after a handball from Gvardiol.
64'
SituationNo penalty
ReviewHandball?
DecisionPenalty
63'
Silva... but no!
A glorious chance for Leipzig to get a third from Raum's free-kick on the left but Silva heads over from the edge of the six-yard box!
61'
When it rains, it pours...
xGoals
2
0.56
0.99
2
Goals
57'
Over from Pfeiffer
A glorious chance for Stuttgart to get back into the game as Endo, unmarked at the back post, heads a cross back into the middle. He picks out Pfeiffer, about 10 yards out, but he can only direct his header over the bar!
Favourite opponents
© Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
52'
Tails up
Leipzig have scented blood and want more now. Surely another goal would kill the game off once and for all. They're zipping first-time passes around in Stuttgart's half and the away side just can't get hold of the ball right now. Another goal feel like it's just a matter of time.
50'
Szoboszlai at the double!
What. A. Hit. A sublime strike from Leipzig's No.17 as he brings down a ball on the edge of the area before arrowing an unstoppable half-volley into the bottom corner, leaving Müller absolutely no chance.
47'
Leipzig in second
There's still a long way to go of course, but if Leipzig do manage to win here then they will go second in the standings overnight, just one point behind Bayern.
46'
Underway again
Both teams made one change at the break, with Forsberg replacing Olmo for the hosts and Perea coming on for Kastanaras for VfB.
Kick-off!
45'
+ 1
Substitution
45'
+ 1
Substitution
45'
+ 1
Half-time: Leipzig 1-0 Stuttgart
Szoboszlai's free-kick is all that separates the two teams at the break. Leipzig have controlled the contest, but have largely been reduced to half chances from Raum crossses.
Half-time
43'
Eye of goal
Goal attempts
3off target
2on target
4off target
1on target
38'
Olmo!
After Szoboszlai's cut-back is blocked, Silva keeps the chance alive with a robust challenge. Olmo tries to find the top corner from just inside the area, but is leaning back and shoots over.
© IMAGO/Roger Petzsche/IMAGO/Picture Point LE
36'
Half chance!
Szoboszlai feeds the run of Raum. The Leipzig left-back only has eyes for Silva, who beats his marker but not Müller with his attempted header. One of those will surely stick before long...
Szo-BOSS-lai
© Imago
32'
Silva again!
Raum with another teasing ball in from the left. Silva attacks the near post, heading against the outside of the upright. Müller was all kinds of beaten.
30'
Danger signs
Raum clips in a sumptuous pass, but a Stuttgart defender snuffs it out before Silva can pounce. Leipzig are in complete control.
28'
Victory in sight?
1'
63.4 %
27'
77.7 %
25'
Szoboszlai breaks the deadlock!
You have to feel for Stuttgart after starting so well but it seems they didn't do their homework on this one. Leipzig win a free-kick around 35 yards out but the away side only put two players in the wall, leaving plenty of space for Szoboszlai to swerve an effort at goal. The ball bounces just before it reaches Müller, who can't keep it out diving to his right!
23'
Over from Silva!
Leipzig create their first real chance of the game as Raum digs out a cross from the left that finds Silva at the back post. It's just a tad too high for the Portuguese forward though and he heads over at full stretch.
21'
Bossing it
17'
Blaswich punches clear
Stuttgart win a corner as their pressure continues to mount. It's curled in from the left but Blaswich takes command of the situation and punches clear. Leipzig boss Marco Rose can be seen on the touchline gesturing for his players to remain calm as they weather this Stuttgart storm.
Gvardiol being Gvardiol
© Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
12'
Visitors on the front foot
Goal attempts
0off target
0on target
3off target
1on target
10'
Kastanaras goes close!
Endo picks Schlager's pocket in midfield and plays the ball forward to Kastanaras, whose low, first-time strike from the edge of the penalty area is well saved by Blaswich.
8'
Szoboszlai on the prowl
The Hungarian trickster is lining up high on the Leipzig right and is pressing Vagnoman quickly at every opportunity. The Stuttgart defender is playing at left-back in a makeshift backline for the first time in VfB colours, so Szoboszlai is clearly trying to unsettle him.
6'
First attempt!
Führich expertly brings down a high ball about 30 yards outside the Leipzig box, in a central position. He doesn't need a second invitation to have a shot and he strikes it well but the ball fizzes just over the bar.
3'
Sitting deep
Leipzig have had the ball almost exclusively since kick-off and are camped out in the visitors' half. Stuttgart are staying compact and allowing them to come at them - no way through at the moment.
1'
Here we go!
Stuttgart get the ball rolling on Matchday 18!
Kick-off!
Werner to buck the trend?
© Lukas Schulze/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images
2:03
Watch: Previous meeting: VfB Stuttgart 1-1 RB Leipzig
Head-to-head
The weight of history is very much on Leipzig's side in this fixture, with seven wins, two draws and zero defeats in the nine Bundesliga meetings with Stuttgart to date. They've won all four on home soil, scoring nine without reply in the process.
Team news - Stuttgart
VfB boss Bruno Labbadia has made five changes to his team in the wake of the 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim during the week: Pascal Stenzel, Josha Vagnoman, Chris Führich, Luca Pfeiffer and Thomas Kastanaras all come in given the whopping injury list at the club, while Naouirou Ahamada is suspended.
0:19
Watch: Stage set in Leipzig
Team news - Leipzig
Head coach Marco Rose has made two changes following the victory over Schalke on Tuesday as David Raum replaces Marcel Halstenberg at left-back and Amadou Haidara comes in for Konrad Laimer in central midfield. For both newcomers it is their first start of 2023.
0:31
Watch: Stuttgart arrive at the Red Bull Arena
Leipzig starting XI
Blaswich - Henrichs, Orban (c), Gvardiol, Raum - Haidara, Schlager – Szoboszlai, Olmo - Werner, Silva
Leipzig subs
Nyland, Klostermann, Simakan, Halstenberg, Ba, Forsberg, Laimer, Poulsen
Stuttgart starting XI
Müller - Stenzel, Anton, Ito, Vagnoman - Nartey, Karazor, Endo (c) - Pfeiffer, Kastanaras, Führich
Stuttgart subs
Bredlow, Coulibaly, Millot, Guirassy, Perea, Egloff, Kuol, Aidonis, Reichardt
2:03
STUTTGART MAKE THEIR POINT
GOAL-GETTER GUIRASSY
Stuttgart will be hoping that forward Serhou Guirassy can continue his solid goalscoring form tonight. The Guinea international netted in both VfB's 2023 draws against Mainz and Hoffenheim to take his tally for the campaign to six.
2:03
LEIPZIG SMASH SCHALKE
TIMO TIME?
Timo 'Turbo' Werner has been getting back to his best following a long spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury. The Germany international netted during the midweek win against Schalke and also featured in Leipzig's 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich on Matchday 16. Expect the 26-year-old to enjoy more game time at the Red Bull Arena tonight as the former Stuttgart man looks to add to his five top-flight goals so far this term.
"A REALLY GOOD SIDE"
Labbadia's counterpart, Marco Rose, also had his say on the team Leipzig will be facing later. "Stuttgart are a very talented side who play with intensity," the tactician explained. "They like to play a fast game and press really well. Every goal that they scored last week came off the back of winning the ball. They’re a really good side."
VFB GOING "TOE-TO-TOE"
© Imago
TALE OF THE TAPE
Both teams are going into tonight's fixture on the back of starkly contrasting form. Stuttgart have one win from their last five games while Leipzig are unbeaten in 15 in all competitions, winning 12 of those. The visitors will be up against it against the confident hosts, who scored six times against Schalke last time out.
WELCOME ALONG !
Hello Bundesliga fans and welcome to our coverage of what promises to be a rip-roaring Matchday 18 of the 2022/23 season. We get the weekend started at the Red Bull Arena, where title hopefuls RB Leipzig host a Stuttgart side intent on avoiding a relegation battle.
0:30