VfB Stuttgart vs. RB Leipzig: How do they stack up?
Four points and three positions separate VfB Stuttgart in seventh and RB Leipzig in fourth ahead of Wednesday night's Matchday 17 clash. Both sides had issues to contend with before the winter break but have been boosted by returning stars, as we look who might get the upper hand in the encounter...
Returning stars
The two sides both had plenty of New Year cheer in the shape of big names who returned from injury and promptly made match-winning contributions in their first encounters of 2025 at the weekend.
Deniz Undav had not featured since the start of November when he came on in the second-half of Stuttgart's tie at Augsburg on Sunday - and slotted the winning goal in a narrow 1-0 victory within four minutes of entering the fray. With 24 goals in 40 Bundesliga appearances for Stuttgart, the Germany international has shown before he is just the man you need to come up with the goods in a close encounter and is sure to want to remind the Stuttgart fans of his talents - in a fixture he smashed a hat-trick in last season.
Watch: Undav fires treble as Stuttgart beat Leipzig 5-2 in 2023/24
Leipzig are feeling just as bouyant after the spectacular return of Xavi in Saturday's 4-2 win over Werder Bremen. The masterful midfielder scored twice in the opening 35 minutes after an ankle injury had sidelined him since October - with the mazy drift towards goal and strike from the edge of the area in his second effort illustrating that he is already again at the peak of his powers.
Indeed the Netherlands international spoke after the match about having intended to come back stronger than ever after his injury, telling bundesliga.com: "There was not a day in which I was not thinking about coming back onto the pitch to do what I love the most."
His coach Marco Rose clearly approved, saying: "I found the old Xaxi amazing, and I'm excited about the new one. If it keeps going like today, we will all be pleased."
Goalscoring power
Xavi is no stranger to spectacular strikes - having twice won the Bundesliga Goal of the Month honour - but is best known for creating chances for others in sublime style, with 11 assists last season.
His return is therefore a major boost for Leipzig's front two of Benjamin Šeško and Loïs Openda. The former showed his devastating scoring touch in the win over Bremen by sinking a 25-yard piledriver, while Openda will be hopeful of increasing his scoring rate with Xavi pulling the creative strings behind him - and getting closer to matching his huge personal haul of 24 goals last season. Both will therefore be eager to press on from their opening win of 2025 by finding the net in Stuttgart.
Watch: Xavi (twice) and Šeško on target as Leipzig beat Bremen
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Stuttgart will hope Undav's return might help to gel a forward partnership with Ermedin Demirović. Seven goals in 16 appearances has marked a decent start for the summer signing - and a big performance from the pair against Leipzig could definitely be on the cards from a side that outscored the visitors last season (with 78 goals to Leipzig's 77).
A flurry of four goals in five appearances between November and December saw Nick Woltemade deputise capably for Undav - whom he partnered up front with in Augsburg after Undav came on for Demirović. With all three keen for playing time and further strikes, a Leipzig defence that conceded five times on their last trip to Stuttgart has good reason to be wary.
Cool coaches
Rose and Sebastian Hoeneß both went into 2025 with ground to make up after difficulties so far this season but a track record that suggests they can guide their respective sides to a successful end of the campaign - making the big midweek clash an important chance to wrestle momentum their way.
Having navigated a summer of squad change and then the welcome distraction of UEFA Champions League football, Hoeneß has been working on instilling the same kind of intensity and fluency to Stuttgart's play that saw them charge to a surprise runners-up finish last season.
With a four-point gap to make good behind Leipzig in fourth at present, a win would be a big boost to Stuttgart's bid for regaining their Champions League status at the end of the campaign, which would surely mark another success for the highly respected tactician.
Rose needed to show his patience and optimism at times before the winter break as a brilliant eight-match unbeaten start to the season was followed by a four-game winless spell amid a disappointing Champions League campaign.
The absence of Xavi unsurprisingly coincided with that downturn in form, and his wonderful return provides hope that a carefree Leipzig attacking machine can fire on all cylinders once again by utilising the sense of freedom Rose grants them. Having guided his side to top-four finishes in his two seasons so far at the club, it would help his hopes of a repeat with a win at Stuttgart.
Keeping class
Shot stopppers Alexander Nübel and Péter Gulácsi have both boasted seasons to remember and have amassed 100 saves between them so far (53 for Gulácsi and 47 for Nübel). Nübel has kept three clean sheets so far in his second season on loan at Stuttgart from Bayern Munich, but will want more - and a shutout against Leizpig would be an excellent place to start.
Following Manuel Neuer's international retirement, the Stuttgart goalkeeper has gained his first two international caps and would welcome the chance for more with the next international window ahead in March.
Watch: The sky's the limit for Nübel
Gulácsi, who turns 35 before the end of the campaign, has made the Leipzig goal his own again after injury forced him out of most of the past two seasons. A club-record five consecutive clean sheets towards the start of the season proved he is in the form of his life and provides a benchmark to match for the rest of the campaign. He is certain to be up for the difficult challenge of coming away from Stuttgart with his net untouched.
Impact signings?
Both clubs have brought in one player during the current January transfer window - and although neither is expected to start, they would hope to feature and make an impact from the bench.
Versatile attacking player Jacob Bruun Larsen showed glimpses of what he can bring to Stuttgart during their win in Augsburg in his first appearance for his new club (as a substitute) after his signing from Hoffenheim. His 17 sprints in 29 minutes showed his determination to make a good impression, and what better way to do that than making an impact against Leipzig in front of his new fans.
Leipzig have welcomed Ridle Baku to their ranks, with the former Wolfsburg and Mainz wing-back playing the final 25 minutes of the win over Bremen. He provides depth to the Leipzig squad and an alternative for Rose in an encounter that could easily go either way. A real midweek treat is in store in Stuttgart!
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