As the 2024 Germany football season kicks off, Bayer Leverkusen is set to host Stuttgart in the Super Cup on August 17th at the BayArena.
After a remarkable previous season that saw Leverkusen clinch both the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal titles, the stakes are high as they face a formidable Stuttgart side that finished the last campaign in second place.
This matchup promises to be an exciting battle between two top teams in German football.
Match Preview
Bayer Leverkusen enters this match with a solid pedigree, having concluded the last Bundesliga season undefeated, securing a staggering 90 points from 34 matches.
They won 28 games, drew 6, and conceded only 24 goals, showcasing a formidable defense.
However, their preseason preparations have been somewhat mixed, with only one win in four friendly matches, including a 1-1 draw against Real Betis and a heavy 4-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Despite these results, Leverkusen’s historical performance gives them confidence heading into this encounter.
Stuttgart, on the other hand, had a successful preseason, culminating in a resounding 4-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao.
This win highlighted their attacking prowess and solidified their unbeaten run during the offseason, which included wins against Hollenbach, Kyoto Sanga, and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, along with a draw against Luzern.
Stuttgart finished the previous Bundesliga season strongly, winning their last three matches, which propelled them to second place and secured their spot in the Super Cup.
Head to Head
Historically, Bayer Leverkusen has had the upper hand over Stuttgart, and their impressive form from the previous season adds to their advantage.
In their 5 previous meetings, Leverkusen has not lost to Stuttgart. At least 2 goals have been scored in their previous 10 meetings.
With Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak in the league and Stuttgart’s strong finish, this match could be tightly contested.
However, Leverkusen’s defensive record, which was the best in the league last season, suggests they will be difficult to break down.
Team News
Bayer Leverkusen appears to be at full strength for this matchup, having made key signings over the summer, including Martin Terrier, Aleix García, and Jeanuël Belocian, without any major departures.
This stability should serve them well as they aim to continue their successful run.
Stuttgart will be without defender Dan-Axel Zagadou due to injury.
They’ve been active in the transfer market, bringing in several players, including Deniz Undav, Ermedin Demirovic, Jamie Leweling, Jeff Chabot, Anthony Rouault, Leonidas Stergiou, and Ramon Hendriks.
However, they have also experienced some losses with the departures of Hiroki Ito, Waldemar Anton, and Serhou Guirassy.
Prediction
Given Bayer Leverkusen’s outstanding form from last season and their solid defensive capabilities, we predict a victory for Leverkusen in this Super Cup clash.
Stuttgart may find it challenging to penetrate Leverkusen’s defense, leading us to anticipate a match with under 2.5 goals and a clean sheet for the hosts.
- Score Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Stuttgart
Betting Tips
Bayer Leverkusen to Win: Betting on a victory for Leverkusen is a reasonable choice given their strong form and home advantage.
Under 2.5 Goals: With both teams focusing on defense, a wager on under 2.5 goals could offer good returns.
Clean Sheet for Bayer Leverkusen: Given their defensive record last season, betting on Leverkusen to keep a clean sheet might be a smart option.
First Half Draw: Expect both teams to start cautiously, making a draw at halftime a potential betting opportunity.