
This fixture pits two of the three highest-scoring teams in the current Bundesliga season against each other. Bayer 04 have netted 38 goals, Stuttgart 33. Only FC Bayern Munich (43) have hit the net more often.
A look at previous encounters between the two sides shows that the Werkself enjoy playing against VfB, particularly at their place. Bayer 04 have lost just one of their last 23 competitive games against the Cannstatt club, and they're unbeaten in their last 11 visits to Stuttgart - their longest current unbeaten run away from home against any club. What's more, VfB have suffered their second-most Bundesliga home defeats against Bayer 04.
Stuttgart are enjoying a very successful season, just five points off Bayer 04 at the top of the table. 30 points at this stage of the campaign represents the club's second-best Bundesliga season ever. Key to that success have been an attacking duo who have been in free-scoring form since the start of the season. Serhou Guirassy has netted 16 times in 11 league appearances, while his strike partner Deniz Undav has scored eight goals so far. Including assists, the pair have been directly involved in 29 of Sebastian Hoeneß's team's 33 league goals.
4,000 Bayer 04 fans will be cheering the team on in the Baden-Württemberg state capital. Xabi Alonso thanked the fans for their phenomenal support once again in Friday's press conference: "It's really nice that so many fans are always there - whether away or at home. We feel the enthusiasm of our fans very clearly and are super grateful. We want to play to our best on Sunday and then hopefully celebrate the next win with our fans."
Deniz Aytekin is the referee for today's match. The 45-year-old has officiated 36 competitive games involving Bayer 04 to date. They've resulted in 16 wins, seven draws and 13 losses. Aytekin's assistants are Christian Dietz and Eduard Beitinger, with Robert Schröder as VAR.

From the 2027/28 season, the Women’s Bundesliga will be organised by an independent league association. Following the unanimous decision taken at the DFB Bundestag (national conference) on Friday afternoon, the league’s separation from the DFB is now official.
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Following the Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig (Sunday, 20 September, 15:30 CEST), some of the Werkself first team players will be heading off for the first international break of the season. Here is an overview of the Bayer 04 players called up for their national teams and all the details of their upcoming matches.
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A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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