Highlights
Full-time: Stuttgart 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen
© IMAGO/H. Langer
Full-time
90'
+ 3
Silas fires over
The ball drops out to the Stuttgart substitute from a late corner, but he skies his effort.
90'
Five minutes of stoppage time are indicated
Will we see a late twist in this enthralling game?
90'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
89'
Schick heads wide
Frimpong cuts the ball across and Schick has a go with a diving header that is deflected behind. Tah then has a header saved from the resulting corner as Leverkusen's pressure continues.
87'
Tah smashes wide
Leverkusen are looking the more threatening side as we approach the final few minutes, and the centre-back snaps a shot wide from within the box.
85'
Three late changes
Xabi Alonso's switch appears to be a defensive one - perhaps the Leverkusen coach will settle for a point today.
85'
Substitution
85'
Substitution
84'
Substitution
82'
Hrádecký dives to stop Stiller
That's a good leap from the Leverkusen goalkeeper to turn the ball behind at his near post.
79'
Leverkusen looking dangerous
Frimpong almost manages to cut the ball back to Schick right in front of the target, but there is a decisive block preventing the substitute from reaching it.
77'
Two changes for Stuttgart
Sebastian Hoeneß shuffles his pack again as we enter the final phase of this engaging encounter.
77'
Substitution
77'
Substitution
73'
Schick on
Leverkusen make a switch of centre-forward with Schick on for Boniface. The Czech attacker provided an assist within seconds of taking to the field last week against Dortmund.
73'
Frimpong shoots
The full-back scoops a shot from the edge of the box that Nübel is able to save.
73'
Substitution
70'
Undav shoots
It's a tricky shot - on the spin - from the Stuttgart attacker, but the hosts have enjoyed a better couple of minutes after Leverkusen's dominance of the second half so far.
66'
Pair of changes
On come Silas and Hofmann. Two attackers who have enjoyed very strong seasons so far - adding additional intrigue to the remainder of this game.
66'
Substitution
65'
Substitution
New best for Wirtz
© IMAGO
59'
Frimpong threatens
Jeremie Frimpong glides down the right and delivers a tricky ball across the goalmouth that Nübel does well to grab onto.
57'
Game transformed
While Stuttgart bossed the ball in the first period, Leverkusen are now passing the ball around well and asking regular questions of the hosts' defence.
53'
Boniface header saved
The Nigerian twists to head a Palacios cross on goal. It's a comfortable save for Nübel, but Leverkusen continue to press after really racing up a gear in this second half.
51'
Chances, chances and more chances
Goal attempts
8off target
10on target
8off target
2on target
49'
Xhaka hits the post
What a response from the leaders at the start of the second half! Xhaka sets up a shot just outside the box and drills the ball into the post.
47'
Leverkusen level!
Florian Wirtz smashes Leverkusen back on level terms. The young attacking gem meets Boniface's beautifully floated ball across the box with his first touch to stroke it straight past Nübel.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
46'
We're off again
After that superb first 45, we could have a lot to look forward to...
Kick-off!
Half-time: Stuttgart 1-0 Leverkusen
© IMAGO/H. Langer
Half-time
45'
Four minutes of stoppage time indicated
The home fans are going to enjoy those half-time snacks if the scoreline remains unchanged!
45'
Unusual situation for Leverkusen
The league leaders have been behind only once before away from home this season - at Bayern Munich in Matchday 4. They came back to draw that 2-2.
40'
Stuttgart take the lead!
It was coming. Stuttgart's confident attacking leads to a breakthrough as Undav turns the ball inside for Vagnoman on the right. The full-back cuts the ball across the goal for Führich to tap in his fourth goal of the season!
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
37'
Mittelstädt over
The Stuttgart full-back flashes a shot over from 20 metres out, and Undav has an effort saved moments later.
33'
Boniface scoops shot wide
Leverkusen set up another chance. Victor Boniface targets the far post from the left but sends his effort wide.
32'
Anton needs attention
The Stuttgart defender takes a cut in contesting the ball from that corner and needs bandaging before he - and the game - can continue.
30'
Adli over
Leverkusen get another headed chance from a corner.
30'
Hrádecký keeping Leverkusen level
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
1.98
0.35
0
Goals
30'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
27'
Tah heads over from a corner
The chances just keep on coming in what has been a brilliant first half!
25'
Guirassy goes very close
Another great chance! Guirassy meets a dream pass through the defence but is stopped by a brilliant save from the feet of Hrádecký.
24'
Boniface denied
Leverkusen combine well with Frimpong feeding Boniface from the right. The Nigerian has a chance to crack a shot on goal from around the penalty spot, but Nübel saves well.
Impressive start
© IMAGO/H. Langer
19'
Undav has a go from 40 metres out
The Stuttgart striker spots Hrádecký off his line a little from the right and swings a shot in. It's a comfortable save for the Leverkusen goalkeeper, but you can feel the sheer confidence from Undav to try something like that.
17'
Undav denied
A sharp shot from the on-loan striker from the edge of the box is saved well by Hrádecký.
16'
Midfield battles
After the very open start, the past few minutes have been defined by tussles in the centre of the park as both sides try to eke out an advantage.
11'
What a frantic start!
Goal attempts
1off target
4on target
1off target
0on target
9'
Adli hits the post
Leverkusen cut Stuttgart open on the break, with Boniface laying it out to Adli on the left - whose shot rattles the goal frame!
7'
Blocked on the line - twice
More early drama as Stuttgart push for a lead! Two Leverkusen defenders clear the ball from the goal line in a matter of seconds as Tapsoba makes a vital block to deny Vagnoman.
6'
First booking
Kossounou takes Undav out 25 metres out as the Stuttgart attack stretch Leverkusen again.
3'
Führich saved
You can see the sparks flying from Stuttgart's sharp attackers. Undav twists in the area and sets up a shot for Führich, which is guided towards Hrádecký's near post but turned out by the Leverkusen goalkeeper.
2'
Kossounou down
No sooner has the match started than we have to take a short break as the Leverkusen defender took a blow to his cheek. He needs some treatment but appears to have shaken it off.
1'
Off we go
The eagerly awaited clash between two very in-form sides starts.
Kick-off!
The teams are out
We'll be underway in a matter of seconds...
0:21
Stuttgart players warming up...
15 minutes to kick off
The teams are getting read out over the tannoy at the MHPArena, drawing a set of enthusiastic shouts and cheers from the home fans.
Stuttgart salutes returning World Cup winner
17-year-old Maximilian Herwerth, who is in Stuttgart's youth ranks, gets a rousing reception ahead of kick-off for his part in Germany U17's World Cup win in Indonesia.
0:40
Here come the league leaders...
0:09
The quiet before the storm...
Many happy returns, Jeremie!
© IMAGO/Noah Wedel
More on that Stuttgart team
As expected, Sebastian Hoeneß has selected strike sensations Serhou Guirassy and Deniz Undav together again after they both scored in the 2-0 win over Werder Bremen last weekend. He goes with the same XI that started the 2-0 win over Dortmund in the DFB Cup in midweek.
More on that Leverkusen team
The headline news is that Florian Wirtz starts after the young playmaker was declared a doubt ahead of the match due to an ankle injury. There is one change to the side that drew 1-1 against Dortmund last week. Jonas Hofmann starts on the bench for the first time this season, with Amine Adli in the line-up instead.
Stuttgart starting XI
Nübel - Vagnoman, Anton (c), Zagadou, Mittelstädt - Millot, Karazor, Stiller, Führich - Undav, Guirassy
Stuttgart subs
Bredlow, Stenzel, Stergiou, Rouault, Jeong, Haraguchi, Silas, Leweling, Milošević
Leverkusen starting XI
Hrádecký (c) - Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba - Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo - Wirtz, Adli – Boniface
Leverkusen subs
Kovář, Stanišić, Hincapié, Hofmann, Andrich, Amiri, Schick, Tella, Hložek
Hoeneß's view on Leverkusen
© IMAGO/Jan Huebner
Alonso's view on Stuttgart
© IMAGO/Team 2
4:56
Watch: Alonso on Leverkusen's sensational season
Top-four prospects
In Bundesliga history, 33 teams had at least 30 points after 13 games: 31 of them finished in the top four, all of them ended in the top five. Stuttgart currently have 30, Leverkusen 35.
Probable line-ups
© IMAGO/Adam Ihse/TT
2:03
Watch: Stuttgart 1-1 Leverkusen - previous meeting
2:03
Watch: Stuttgart 2-0 Bremen - highlights
2:03
Watch: Leverkusen 1-1 Dortmund - highlights
0:30