By Content Editor
17 August 2021, 12:22 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Match Preview RB Leipzig vs VfB Stuttgart Bundesliga Aug 20, 2021

Bundesliga Match Day 2 kicks off this weekend with RB Leipzig vs. VfB Stuttgart taking the center stage at the Red Bull Arena, time: 19:30 (GMT+1) on Friday, August 20.

Preview RB Leipzig Bundesliga, Aug 20, 2021

Preview An opening day defeat to 1. FSV Mainz 05 saw Jesse Marsch begin his Bundesliga reign as coach of RB Leipzig with a 1-0 loss. A disappointing clearance in the six-yard box from the right-back, Leipzig's Nordi Mukiele presented a fine opportunity for Moussa Niakhate (12') to hand Mainz the lead in the game's opening minutes. Before the goal, the 05ers came knocking with new addition, Jae-sung Lee hitting the woodwork with a fine effort before right-winger Paul Nebel shot narrowly wide on the rebound. In an attempt to redeem himself, an unmarked Nordi Mukiele fired a vicious shot on goal but saw his effort thwarted as Alexander Hack put his body between ball and goal to keep Mainz in the lead. New acquisition, Andre Silva failed to find the target from range in the closing stages of the game, - heading inches above the crossbar in a final attempt to salvage a point for Leipzig. Marsch will aim to select maximum points on Friday when his side makes their second appearance of the season. An attacking 4—2—3—1 formation is expected with the newly acquired €23M-rated center-forward of choice, Andre Silva leading the Bulls once again. Alexander Sörloth could be on his way out of the club as romance with the French side, Olympique Marseille continues to appear in the news. Benjamin Henrichs remains doubtful due to knee troubles while Marcelo Saracchi faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament rupture.

Preview VfB Stuttgart Bundesliga, Aug 20, 2021

Preview Meanwhile, VfB Stuttgart started their 2021/2022 Bundesliga campaign in style with a 5-1 win on home soil over newcomers, Greuther Fürth. The newly-promoted side started brightly before the home side took full control of the game. Wataru Endo (30') handed Stuttgart the lead at the Mercedes-Benz Arena right at the stroke of half-time before Philipp Klement (36') struck for the second, six minutes later to help Stuttgart establish a comfortable lead before the break. Minutes after the interval, Marc-Oliver Kempf (55') stretched the lead before returning for the brace twenty-one minutes later (76'), - his first-ever Bundesliga double. Before Kempf's second, Hamadi Al Ghaddioui (61') got Stuttgart the fourth in a show of dominance over the visiting side. However, the visitors left with a consolation goal after Jamie Leweling (90'+ET) raced towards goal unchallenged and rounded goalkeeper, Florian Müller. Stuttgart's impressive start to the season could steel Pellegrino Matarazzo's side ahead of their game against RB Leipzig. The Reds could line up with three at the back in a 3—4—2—1 formation which could see Al Ghaddioui named as the centre-forward of choice. Riddled with injuries, Stuttgart may be without several players in the shape of Sasa Kalajdzic, Orel Mangala, and Mohamed Sankoh. Kalajdzic tested positive to coronavirus while Mangala and Sankoh are sidelined with varying forms of injuries.

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