VfB Stuttgart vs Borussia Dortmund
Third and second in the Bundesliga table, VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund are paired together on the resumption of the German top-flight, and it’s a match which could have a huge bearing on the title race and the battle for Champions League places.
With three league wins on the bounce, Niko Kovac’s BVB have just about hung on to the coa-tails of leaders Bayern Munich. While the Bavarians are heavily odds on to win the title, Die Schwarzgelben have not given up the chase yet. But lose in Stuttgart, and surely that will be that for the Dortmunders. So this makes the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund at the MHPArena such a compelling prospect.
And while the top two clubs are streets ahead of the chasing pack, Sebastian Hoeness’ Stuttgart are in third place, three points clear of RB Leipzig and TSG Hoffenheim, with Bayer Leverkusen in sixth and still in the hunt. So the hosts need a win to stay in pole position for a Top 4 spot.
Both teams went into the break on the back of a victory, VfB hammered FC Augsburg 5-2, while Dortmund beat Hamburg by the odd goal in five, and they will both be after the full three points when they meet on Saturday.
Talking Points
International recognition for VfB three
Die Schwaben have been impressive this term under Hoeness to stay ahead of the powerhouses at Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig. And while his team is not swamped by big-name players, three of his stars earned international recognition last week in Germany’s 2-1 friendly win over Ghana in front of 52,000 fans at Stuttgart.
VfB’s goalkeeper Alexander Nubel, on loan from Bayern Munich, and 24-year-old defencive midfielder Angelo Stiller started in Julian Nagelsmann’s team, while striker Deniz Undav came off the bench to score the winner.
With 18 league goals this season, Undav has forced his way into Germany’s World Cup plans as the Bundesliga’s second top scorer, while Bosnia and Herzegovina forward Ermedin Demirovic, also on the way to the World Cup, has been a superb form. And he knows where the net is, with 24 goals in 52 games for the club.
Stuttgart’s recent clash with RB Leipzig was another six-pointer that gave VfB a chance to underline their Top 3 credentials, and Undav scored the only goal of the game to win that one, which the BVB defence will be acutely aware of.
Expect Guirassy and Bensebaini to start for BVB
When Borussia Dortmund recently met Bayern Munich, they played without star striker Serhou Guirassy and defender Ramy Bensebaini, as both were fasting during Ramadan, and Kovac felt they would struggle with the intensity of such a game without fuel. BVB lost that clash 3-2, their last defeat, but both stars were in action last time out, and they made a huge difference after starting on the bench. Kovac’s substitutions against Hamburg were inspired, as he brought the pair on at halftime, with Die Schwarzgelben trailing 2-0.
It was Bensebaini who halved the deficit from the penalty spot after Max Beier had drawn a penalty. That was on 73 minutes, and only five later, BVB were level as Guirassy scored from point blank range. The recovery was complete, still with six minutes to play, when Bensebaini was given another chance from 12 yards, and he was as cool as ever, sliding the ball into the bottom right corner to send the Yellow Wall wild.
Guirassy and Bensebaini are sure to start against Stuttgart. And another player to watch out for is wing-back Julian Ryerson, who is having a phenomenal campaign, making 12 assists in the league.
History
BVB have won 19 to VfB’s 14 of their head-to-heads, and they are ahead too at the MHP Arena by a tally of 11 to eight victories. But in recent seasons, the tables have turned, and VfB are unbeaten in seven meetings. A 3-3 draw at the Signal Iduna Park in November signalled the end of a sequence of five Stuttgart wins, including a 5-1 thumping victory on their home turf last season.
Kovac’s men are due a win in this fixture, but the pre-match Bundesliga 2026 betting odds say they will have to cause a minor upset.
In terms of recent Bundesliga 2026 results, both teams have won three, drawn one, and lost two of their last six games, but Dortmund’s three wins are their most recent outings.
Betting Tip
Stuttgart are the marginal favourites at SBOTOP odds of 2.30 to win this game, with Dortmund at 2.60 and the draw at 2.80. You can make a case for any of the three outcomes, and while I favour Die Scharzgelben, I’m going for goals between two teams with impressive firepower.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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