Stuttgart are tagged massive favorites here, but their back line is not looking great, conceding six goals in two league games. Viking's qualifying games were quite entertaining, so BTTS & over 2.5 is my top pick here.
Key Stats
- Stuttgart have seen over 3.5 goals in 8 of their last 9 matches (including pre-season).
- Viking have seen BTTS & over 2.5 goals in 6 of their last 7 matches.
- Viking’s Zlatko Tripic has scored 2 goals in his last 2 matches (UCL qualifiers).
No Previous H2H Meetings
This is going to be the first head to head match between Stuttgart and Viking.
Swabians Tagged Favorites
Stuttgart qualified for the Champions League main stage after finishing 4th in the Bundesliga last season, while they also made it to the German Cup finals.
After kicking off the new campaign with a commanding 4-0 win against Hansa Rostock in the DFB Pokal, the Swabians didn't offer any resistance in against the champions Bayern Munich in the opening Bundesliga round, losing 5-1.
Sebastian Hoeness' side bounced back instantly, beating Koln 4-1 in front of the home crowd last weekend. The opposition deserved more here, having 2.86 xG, 18 shots and creating four goal chances.
Viking Set for their Main Stage Debut
This is going to be the first time Viking are playing in the UCL group stages. They qualified after defeating Dinamo Zagreb 5-3 on aggregate in the playoffs in two very entertaining clashes.
After the first tie in Croatia ended 2-2, the Norwegian champions won at home 3-1. Tobias Moi played a key role in these encounters, scoring one goal and registering two assists.
Viking's most recent domestic clash was a 1-1 road draw against Sandefjord, leaving them in second place in the Eliteserien, three points behind the leaders Bodo/Glimt.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Stuttgart (4-4-2) Fabian Bredlow; Josha Vagnoman, Finn Jeltsch, Jeff Chabot, Maximilian Mittelstaedt; Bilal El Khannouss, Grischa Promel, Angelo Stiller, Chris Fuhrich; Dzenan Pejcinovic, Deniz Undav
Dennis Seimen, Dan-Axel Zagadou, and Tiago Tomas remain sidelined alongside Nikolas Nartey, Luca Jaquez, Justin Diehl, and Lorenz Assignon. Ermedin Demirovic is likely to start on bench here.
Dennis Seimen, Dan-Axel Zagadou, and Tiago Tomas remain sidelined alongside Nikolas Nartey, Luca Jaquez, Justin Diehl, and Lorenz Assignon. Ermedin Demirovic is likely to start on bench here.
Viking (4-3-3) Arild Ostbo; Herman Haugen, Viljar Vevatne, Sondre Langas, Jost Urbancic; Joe Bell, Yann-Erik de Lanlay, Simen Kvia-Egeskog; Zlatko Tripic, Tobias Moi, Edvin Austbo
The Norwegian side is missing Anders Baertelsen, Veton Berisha, Nick DAgostino, and Martin Ove Roseth while Henrik Falchener remains doubtful. Zlatko Tripic has registered either a goal or assist in his last seven appearances across competitions.
The Norwegian side is missing Anders Baertelsen, Veton Berisha, Nick DAgostino, and Martin Ove Roseth while Henrik Falchener remains doubtful. Zlatko Tripic has registered either a goal or assist in his last seven appearances across competitions.