Matchday news: Take cup momentum into Stuttgart home game

#B04VFB: Match facts

Bayer 04 fans won’t have fond memories of the last time Stuttgart came to the BayArena, having seen their team trail 4-0 inside the first half. Alejandro Grimaldo then got a scant consolation goal. It means the Werkself have a score to settle and the desire to get back to old ways, having gone 15 competitive meetings unbeaten against Stuttgart prior to last season.

The creativity of Ibrahim Maza could help there. The 20-year-old wasn’t just impressive in the midweek cup game but has been making his mark throughout the Bundesliga campaign, having had 22 shots on goal and set up a further 17. Only Bayern Munich duo Harry Kane and Michael Olise have been involved in more attempts across the division. The Algeria international got a goal and an assist for the first time in a single Bundesliga game in the recent home victory over Freiburg.

Focus on Stuttgart

Stuttgart need a result in Leverkusen, having claimed only six points from the first seven Bundesliga games to sit just one place above the bottom three. Forwards Deniz Undav, Dzenan Pejcinovic and Jamie Leweling are all yet to register a league goal this season, although VfB remain unbeaten in their three Champions League outings. Find out more about Stuttgart in our opposition profile.