Who will win the first title of the new season?
The first official title of the new season will be awarded on Saturday evening in Leverkusen’s BayArena. The final of the German Super Cup will see the reigning double winners clash with the runners-up from Swabia. Excitement and top-class soccer are inevitable, as Xabi Alonso and Sebastian Hoeneß’ teams were already the measure of all things in national club soccer in 2023/24, both in terms of soccer and results. On paper, the home side have the better chances. Between Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart, the bet on a home win delivers lower odds on the three-way market
The timing of this match and, above all, the venue are definitely not controversial. While the challenger normally enjoys the right to play at home, the DFL decided to move the Super Cup final to the smaller and less atmospheric BayArena without further ado. In addition, both teams have to make up their DFB Cup matches at the end of the month and will therefore have to make do with another English week in an already tight schedule. However, these discussions will only have a peripheral influence on the action on the pitch and the associated Leverkusen vs VfB Stuttgart prediction
Instead, the anticipation of the start of the competitive match and a lively encounter for a trophy that Bayer Leverkusen, for example, do not yet have in their own club showcase prevails. VfB Stuttgart’s only Super Cup triumph to date also lies more than 30 years in the past. The search is on for the successor to RB Leipzig, who took the crown last year against FC Bayern. However, six of the last eight Super Cup titles have gone to Munich.
This time, the odds between Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart suggest that the Werkself will continue their title run. Intertops is offering 1.86 at the top for a win for the hosts after 90 minutes
Leverkusen – statistics & current form
Even a few months on, it still sounds completely surreal what Bayer 04 Leverkusen achieved last season. 34 (!) Bundesliga games without defeat was an absolute novelty in German professional soccer. The Werkself also won the DFB Cup and only narrowly missed out on the historic treble by losing the Europa League final against Atalanta Bergamo. Coach Xabi Alonso’s charges marched through the season with a dominance that was hardly thought possible, developing an aura of invincibility in the process.
For the upcoming season, the Rhinelanders have once again set their sights high. In the Champions League, Bayer want to prove that they can compete with the best teams on the continent and at national level, the focus is on defending their titles in both competitions. A successful start to the season would be particularly important in this respect. There is also currently a lot to suggest that the first competitive match will bring a sense of achievement, as the odds of betting providers with a German license imply that the home team is the favourite between Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart
How meaningful are Leverkusen’s weaker test match results?
In terms of personnel, this favorite status is absolutely understandable, because contrary to many fears, the management team of the double winner has so far managed to keep all the key players. Apart from that, there has been a noticeable improvement in quality across the board. Players such as Martin Terrier, Aleix Garcia and Jeanuël Belocian are intended to stimulate competition within the team on the one hand and ensure a deeper bench and more substitution options on the other.
Nonetheless, it must be said that coach Xabi Alonso, whose retention is logically a real stroke of luck for the Arsenal, will only be partially satisfied with the preparations. Especially in the test matches, the Werkself showed a lot of room for improvement. They suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat against Arsenal, for example, and the Europa League finalists had to settle for disappointing draws against Betis Sevilla and RC Lens.
It therefore remains to be seen whether the Rhinelanders will switch back into “beast mode” in time for the start of the competitive fixtures. We are optimistic in this regard and therefore tend to predict that Bayer will win the title with at least two goals after regular time ahead of the Super Cup final between Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart.
Predicted Leverkusen line-up:
Hradecky – Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie – Frimpong, G. Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo – Adli, Boniface, Wirtz
VfB Stuttgart – Statistics & current form
Firstly because of their outstanding last season, which the Swabians ended as runners-up and with a well-deserved Champions League ticket in the bag. But also in view of the new season, in which the Maradona opponent from the 1990 World Cup final expects his favorite club to play a similarly good role as in 2023/24.
Not only Guido Buchwald, but the entire environment in Bad Cannstatt is currently positively surprised at how well and quickly those responsible have succeeded in replacing the well-known departures with high-quality players. While Ito, Anton and Guirassy all opted for higher-paying contracts with their immediate rivals in Dortmund and Munich, promising new signings such as Demirovic, Chabot, Rieder, Krätzig, Keitel, Diehl and Woltemade have been brought in
VfB Stuttgart is on the right track again
After the unintentional major upheaval, anyone who thought that it might take a little longer for VfB to get back to a good level is wrong after the strong impressions from the preparation phase. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß, who is considered the most important protagonist in Stuttgart’s successful construct, has integrated the new players into his system perfectly. In particular, the last test match victory against Athletic Bilbao (4:0) underlines the fact that last year’s runners-up will be a force to be reckoned with again in the new season
The offense in particular is already in great early form. 15 goals scored in the last four test matches are a clear indication that the odds on over-goals should definitely be taken into consideration on Saturday evening in the Super Cup final between Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart. In any case, we expect a highly motivated and strong Hoeneß team that will definitely be able to create a goal threat themselves. We therefore believe that goals from both teams after the break are quite realistic. Just like three or more goals in regular time.
Predicted line-up of VfB Stuttgart:
Nübel – P. Stenzel, Rouault, Chabot, Krätzig – Karazor, Stiller – Silas, Diehl – Woltemade – Demirovic
Leverkusen – VfB Stuttgart head-to-head comparison / H2H result
In pre-season, VfB Stuttgart came very close to inflicting a first defeat on Leverkusen, who were unbeaten at national level. In the second leg in the BayArena in particular, the Swabians were already leading 2-0 but ultimately had to settle for a 2-2 draw after conceding a late goal. The first leg in the Mercedes city also ended in a draw.
In the thrilling semi-final of the DFB Cup, Hoeneß’s team were also ahead, only to be dealt the decisive blow of a last-minute goal by the opponent to make it 2-3. There was certainly no lack of spectacle and great attacking action in any of the head-to-head duels
Leverkusen – VfB Stuttgart tip
Xabi Alonso vs. Sebastian Hoeneß, champion vs. runner-up, joy of playing vs. joy of playing. Germany’s two best club teams from the previous year will meet in the Super Cup final on Saturday evening. In many places, this great encounter is still seen as a somewhat upgraded friendly match. In reality, however, it is about the first official title of the season and revenge for VfB Stuttgart. The Swabians came out on top in all three head-to-head meetings against the Werkself in 2023/24 – but there was still no victory.
As the visitors from the south have also had a good preparation with very positive impressions – despite the notable departures and many new additions – we are not venturing a bet on the three-way market and are instead going for the number of goals. It should also be noted that the Super Cup traditionally produces a lot of goals. In the last four finals alone, there were 20 (!) goals in total
We are therefore not taking any big risks and are betting on over 2.5 goals between Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart. At Intertops, 1.55 can be played as top odds.
