RB Leipzig's Timo Werner faces the club where he made his name when VfB Stuttgart visit the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday (kick-off: 8:30pm CEST/7:30pm BST/2:30pm ET).
Latest
Germany striker Werner broke a number of records during his time at Stuttgart, but he is yet to score against them in two matches. He did, though, set up Marcel Sabitzer for the only goal of the game at home last season. Leipzig’s haul of five points from their first four league matches is the worst in the club’s history at any level, and despite already playing six games more than any other Bundesliga club this season, coach Ralf Rangnick has said he plans to cut back on his rotation as he seeks stability in the team. It could mean an unchanged line-up from the 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt, but defender Nordi Mukiele and striker Jean-Kevin Augustin are both back in the fold after internal suspensions, should fresh legs be needed.
One coach not known for his rotation, Tayfun Korkut rarely makes sweeping changes to his teams. Erik Thommy and Anastasios Donis both came off the bench in Friday’s goalless draw with Fortuna Düsseldorf and are in line for starts in Leipzig to freshen the team up. Striker Mario Gomez has 10 goals in 20 Bundesliga games since re-joining VfB in January, including eight on the road, and will be Stuttgart’s greatest goal threat as they seek a first win of the season. Summer signing from Manchester City Pablo Maffeo is an option at right-back should Korkut rotate, but he appears settled on his back-four of Andreas Beck, Timo Baumgartl, World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard and Pablo Insua in front of former world champion Ron-Robert Zieler.
Probable line-ups
Leipzig: Gulacsi – Laimer, Orban (c), Upamecano, Saracchi – Sabitzer, Kampl, Demme, Forsberg – Werner, PoulsenAbsentees: Klostermann (knee)Coach: Ralf Rangnick
Stuttgart: Zieler – Beck, Pavard, Baumgartl, Insua – Gentner, Ascacibar, Castro, Thommy – Donis, GomezAbsentees: Kempf (thigh), Meyer (cruciate ligament)Coach: Tayfun Korkut