40.
19:11
Tella takes a shot from the second row, but is deflected over the goal.
38.
7:10 p.m
An attack via Leweling is whistled for offside. He then holds the ball in his hand and wants to carry it away. Flekken doesn’t want to do that, which is why he pushes Leweling over from behind. Logically, both see yellow.
38.
7:07 p.m
Yellow card for Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen)
38.
7:07 p.m
Yellow card for Jamie Leweling (VfB Stuttgart)
38.
7:07 p.m
Next opportunity for Leverkusen! Tella’s cross involuntarily puts Hendriks on his stomach for Terrier. Hendriks is able to deflect his shot decisively so that Nübel can catch the high-flying ball.
34.
7:04 p.m
Nübel has to go again! This time Aleix García takes a corner dangerously close to the goal. The goalkeeper wipes the playing equipment out of the danger zone with his right hand.
32.
7:01 p.m
Nübel extends his arm! This is looking good for the home team! Tillman makes a pleasant attack for Fernández. He immediately takes the shot and is slightly deflected, which means he gets Nübel off on the wrong foot. But he pulls his left arm up and prevents the impact!
31.
7:01 p.m
Undav takes a shot from the second row, but fails to hit Flekken in the middle.
29.
18:58
Tooor for VfB Stuttgart, 0:2 by Maximilian Mittelstädt
Sure thing! While Flekken jumps to the right, Mittelstädt pushes the ball in to the bottom left. Third goal of the season for Mittelstädt!
28.
18:58
Penalty for Stuttgart! Belocian doesn’t even get into the duel, extends his leg, goes to the ground, only hits his opponent and gets the whistle against him. No discussions!
26.
18:56
On the right, Tella is sent behind the defense, crosses flatly to the five-pointer, where Mittelstädt clears with a tackle in front of Terrier.
25.
6:55 p.m
The calm that has returned actually helps Bayer 04. After missing the start of the game, the combinations now look much more secure, which is also due to Stuttgart’s decreasing pressure.
23.
18:53
A bit of peace has returned. Flekken intercepts a deep ball that goes too far, otherwise the goalkeepers currently have little to do.
17.
6:48 p.m
Now a chance for Leverkusen, but the Terriers squandered it! Pursued by a defender, he runs freely towards the goal, but then slows down and tries to make a hook, but the ball misses him!
16.
6:45 p.m
Second goal from VfB! But immediately the flag goes up on the sidelines! When passing the ball, Leweling is a long way offside before he shoots the ball into the left corner from the edge of the penalty area. So the hit doesn’t count.
14.
6:45 p.m
Leverkusen is still in hibernation! This time Belocian reacts too slowly, which is why a Stuttgart player can steal the ball from him. The ball bounces to Undav, who shoots past the goal from the turn!
13.
18:44
After a failed cross, Andrich plays the ball straight back to the opponent. So the next cross flies to the second post, is headed back and then also headed towards the goal by Vagnoman. But he doesn’t get any pressure on it, so Flekken grabs it safely again.
11.
18:41
With a bit of tape on his hand, Fernández comes back into the game. He has to grit his teeth.
9.
6:39 p.m
Ezequiel Fernández needs treatment on his hand. He clearly dislocated his finger – the tip of his ring finger sticks out at an unnatural angle.
7.
6:36 p.m
Tooor for VfB Stuttgart, 0-1 by Jamie Leweling
There’s the deserved early lead! This time VfB won the ball in midfield and then played steeply from midfield into Leweling’s path. The attacker plays the ball around Flekken with the first contact and then passes it under the diving keeper with the outside of his foot!
4.
18:34
The next cross flies through the Werkself penalty area. This time Flekken has to wait a long time before it becomes clear that no one can get there anymore. Ultimately, he can safely catch the ball in the far corner.
2.
6:31 p.m
First big chance after a minute! The guests win the ball through high pressing, cross from the left to the second post, where Vagnoman puts his head in, but fails from close range at the feet of Flekken!
1.
6:31 p.m
Zwayer releases the ball. Stuttgart kicks off. And off we go!
1.
6:30 p.m
Game start
18:27
It is icy cold in Leverkusen, but there has been no major snow chaos on the Rhine – at least in this region. The spectators eagerly clap their gloves as both teams step out onto the field. It won’t be long now!
18:21
The top game will be refereed by Felix Zwayer. The 44-year-old Berliner was allowed to referee the 2-2 draw between Leverkusen and Stuttgart a year and a half ago. Robert Andrich scored the highly controversial equalizer in the 96th minute to remain unbeaten on matchday 31. Today Zwayer receives support from line assistants Robert Kempter and Christian Dietz.
18:13
The last duels between Leverkusen and Stuttgart were always heated. In the double season, the Werkself didn’t win in the league against VfB, but they were able to get a win out of them in the DFB Cup. In the following Supercup, Leverkusen won 4-3 on penalties, before the result was repeated again last March – without a penalty shootout. Bayer 04 turned around 3-1 in Stuttgart to win 3-4 in the last second. After it was often close, the Swabians finally want to force a victory.
6:05 p.m
Sebastian Hoeneß also has to react to one or two aches and pains. Finn Jeltsch is still fit, but is now warming up the bench. Tiago Tomás, on the other hand, will be missing for a few weeks. That’s why Ramon Hendriks and Chris Führich are allowed to start today. The latter would like to strengthen the offensive around Jamie Leweling and Deniz Undav again after the recent 0-0 draw against Hoffenheim.
5:57 p.m
In addition to the absences due to the Africa Cup, the Werkself are also missing Patrik Schick at short notice. Club circles say the striker is injured. Compared to the 3-1 win over Leipzig, Loïc Badé and Jonas Hofmann are only on the bench. The trio will be replaced by Jarell Quansah, Álex Grimaldo and Ezequiel Fernández. Hjulmand does without a classic center forward, although Martin Terrier has already proven his accuracy at the end of the year.
5:48 p.m
Stuttgart played a decent season up until the winter break, although the round took a slight turn towards the end. There was only one win from the last five games, which is why the Cannstatters are in sixth place. At the same time, they are only three points behind today’s opponents. Everything is still possible for the Swabians in a sextet that wants to qualify for the premier class.
5:39 p.m
Thanks to a win in Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen was able to survive the winter in third place in the table despite a turbulent start to the season. Thanks to Dortmund’s draw on Friday, second place is already in sight today. To achieve this, we need a win against Vfb Stuttgart. However, Ben Seghir, Kofane, Maza and Tapsoba are missing from the Werkself squad due to the Africa Cup. Kasper Hjulmand has to compensate for that first.
5:35 p.m
The Lineups for this game are already available.
5:30 p.m
The first Bundesliga top game of 2026 will be fought between Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart. It’s the fight for the Champions League places. Welcome!