Stuttgart vs RB Leipzig Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024-25 DFB-Pokal | Semi-Final
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Zsolt Low’s first task as head coach of RB Leipzig is to guide his side to the DFB-Pokal finish by beating Stuttgart at MHP Arena.
Kick-off date/time: Wednesday April 2nd 2025: – UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules
How to watch online: UK – DFB-Play / US – ESPN+
Stuttgart Preview: Season rests on this
You could argue that Stuttgart’s campaign under Sebastian Hoeness depends on the outcome of this semi-final as his team continue on their quest to win a first major trophy since 2007 and reach their first DFB-Pokal final since the 2012-13 season. They’ve already knocked out Borussia Dortmund back in the round of 16.
However, Stuttgart come into the semi-final out of form, having not won in any of their last six games, losing four and drawing two whilst not keeping a clean sheet across that run of fixtures. But a cup semi-final represents a one-off match and those prior results count for nothing at this point
RB Leipzig Preview: Rose out, Low in
Defeat away at Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga this past weekend proved to be the end for Marco Rose, who was dismissed as RB Leipzig head coach with the club in sixth-place and in severe danger of not qualifying for the Champions League next season after being knocked out of the competition this campaign back in the league phase.
Hungarian Zsolt Low has answered the emergency call with the mission to ensure Leipzig qualify for the Champions League. But a major trophy will also be in the club’s sights with victory here in Low’s first game booking them a place in the DFB-Pokal finish against either Arminia Bielefeld or Bayer Leverkusen.
Stuttgart Team News: Stergiou back from suspension
Defender Leonidas Stergiou is available after being banned for Stuttgart’s league game this past weekend. Vagnoman is out injured, as are the likes of Chase, Raimund and Zagadou. Both Undav and Woltemade could start.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Nubel; Stergiou, Al-Dakhil, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Karazor, Stiller; Leweling, Woltemade, Millot; Undav
Unavailable: Chase (Injured), Diehl (Injured), Nartey (Injured), Raimund (Injured), Vagnoman (Injured), Zagadou (Injured)
Questionable:
RB Leipzig Team News: Back to 4-2-2-2
Low may well revert RB Leipzig back to the 4-2-2-2 formation that Rose had deviated from in recent weeks. He has a big decision to make as to whether Peter Gulacsi plays in goal, or challenger Maarten Vandevoordt, who is widely expected to be the club’s first-choice goalkeeper next season.
Predicted XI (4-2-2-2): Gulacsi; Geertruida, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Seiwald, Haidara; Baumgartner, Simons; Sesko, Openda
Unavailable: Henrichs (Injured), Nusa (Injured), Ouedraogo (Injured), Schlager (Injured)
Questionable:
Stuttgart vs RB Leipzig Prediction
The appointment of Low adds a different flavour to this fixture and makes RB Leipzig somewhat of a wildcard. Stuttgart won 2-1 when these two sides collided at MHP Arena in the Bundesliga back in January, a match that saw Leipzig reduced to nine men after both Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda were sent off. When taking into account Stuttgart’s recent fragilities defensively, Leipzig will back themselves to get on the scoresheet again on the same ground.
Stuttgart having home advantage is important though and in a standalone fixture like this, it counts for a lot. Hoeness will have his side motivated and ready for such an occasion and they will be smelling blood against an opponent in transition. The ingredients are in place for a potentially enthralling semi-final and it’s well worth backing both teams to score, as well as over 2.5 goals.
Stuttgart vs RB Leipzig Tip: Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score
