Bayer 04 – Stuttgart: Preview and Match Prediction for the 8th Round of the 2026/27 Bundesliga

Bayer 04 – Stuttgart: preview
We have the predictions for the match between Bayer and Stuttgart in the eighth round of the 2026/27 Bundesliga.
"Bayer" knows how to generate goal-scoring bursts, but their defense still does not maintain the rhythm consistently. "Stuttgart" also seeks stability and can take advantage of any crack.
Key moments
Bayer 04
1. The Leverkusen are entering the match after emotional ups and downs
In the league, the team lost 0:3 to Hoffenheim, but a few days later staged a goal-fest in the German Cup, beating Nürnberg 5:2. Earlier, Bayer had beaten Freiburg 2:1 and in the Europa League defeated OFI 2:0 at home. A contrast is evident: the team can finish matches with confidence, but sometimes fails completely, especially when the opponent forces them to work hard without the ball. The encounter with Stuttgart will require concentration and Bayer must prevent the opponent from turning the game into a back-and-forth exchange.
2. Losses affect several lines
Mussa Diabi suffered a posterior thigh injury in the match against Hoffenheim and will return after the November break for international fixtures. In the same match, defender Loïc Bade suffered a head injury and tear: after the collision with the opponent, he underwent examinations and the club expected a quick return, but did not confirm his availability for the next match. Diabi’s absence limits offensive options, while uncertainty around Bade affects defensive selection. In addition to Bade and Diabi, several players are missing.
3. After the goal-fest, discipline is needed
Bayer regularly impresses with the number of goals, but effectiveness does not always imply game control. The 0:3 defeat to Hoffenheim stands out compared to successful matches, and the four goals conceded in the away game at Mainz, which ended 4:3, also show how open the team’s football can be. Against Stuttgart, a similar scenario could turn into problems: the opponent can exploit free zones. The home side must watch how the team positions itself after losing the ball.
Stuttgart
1. Stuttgart seeks stability
Stuttgart’s recent results have been mixed. In the Bundesliga, the team lost 0:1 to Hamburg, then drew 1:1 with Atlético Madrid in the Champions League and later lost 2:3 at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, in the German Cup, the Baltics achieved the desired result on Paderborn’s ground, winning 1:0. This victory is important mainly as an opportunity to recover from two consecutive negative league results and restore the team’s sense of control.
2. Some squad limitations
Yosha Vagnoman was ruled out by a muscle injury sustained in the match with Atlético Madrid, Tiago Thomas is also unavailable due to injury, and Justin Dill and Dan‑Axel Zagadu are still returning to full training after injuries. However, the squad is not lacking important players: in the match against Borussia Mönchengladbach, from the start Chris Frei, Ermidin Demirvich and rookie Leo Sauer were in the lineup, and Lorenzo Asinion, after recovering from a shoulder injury, entered the starting XI for the first time this season.
3. The attack can punish open football
Stuttgart knows how to find opportunities both against teams that hand over the ball and in more open matches. For the encounter with Bayer, it is an important resource: the home side recently conceded three times to Hoffenheim, and earlier allowed Mainz to score three goals, though they won. Stuttgart must look for space behind the press line and deliver the ball faster to dangerous areas, without losing compactness after their own attacks. If the visitors manage to exploit the opponent’s vulnerabilities, they can turn the match into a fierce battle for the result.
Approximate lineups
4-2-3-1 4-2-3-1 4-2-3-1
Fleckner 2 Medina 12 Tapsoba 3 Guterres 4 Quansa 24 Garcia 6 Fernandes 9 Moriera 30 Maza 23 Tella 14 Shik 41 Zaymen 29 Elch 24 Shabo 22 Asinion 7 Mittelschadt 21 Promel 16 Karazor 11 el‑Hannus 26 Undav 10 Frei 9 Demirvich
Trend predictions
In five of the last eight head‑to‑head matches in Leverkusen, each team scored at least two goals. Bet: both teams will score two or more goals for 2.85.
In six of the last seven head‑to‑head matches, at least four goals were scored. Bet: TB 3.5 for 1.80.
Prediction
Bayer 04 vs Stuttgart 31.10.2026 18:30
Bayer approaches the game after the rout of Nürnberg in the German Cup, but shortly before lost to Hoffenheim. Victories over Freiburg and OFI confirm the Leverkusen’s offensive capabilities, but these successes do not eliminate off‑ball problems. Four goals against Lecha and five in the cup match show the team’s potential, yet the defeat to Hoffenheim and the 4:3 win over Mainz remind how costly defensive lapses can be. The additional complexity: squad issues. Mussa Diabi was ruled out before the international break, and Loïc Bade’s availability remains uncertain. Stuttgart cannot boast stability either: defeats to Hamburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach were split by a 1:1 draw with Atlético, and in the German Cup the team beat Paderborn thanks to a narrow victory. Injuries to Yosha Vagnoman and Tiago Thomas reduce the selection, while Justin Dill and Dan‑Axel Zagadu are still taking shape. However, the Baltics have already shown they can score and find space ahead. If Bayer opens up again, the visitors will have opportunities, while the home side cares about turning offensive power into a more coherent game in Leverkusen. Prediction: 3-2

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