Real Madrid vs Stuttgart: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Real Madrid should be comfortable winners in the opening game of their title defence against VFB Stuttgart. Los Blancos begin their campaign for an unprecedented 16th European Cup.

Real Madrid's unbeaten streak in their previous seven matches is a testament to their strength. Facing a VFB Stuttgart side without a clean sheet in their last three, the odds are in Real Madrid's favour.
At the Bernabeu, Madrid have won four and drawn once in their previous five and are unbeaten in their three previous home UEFA Champions League games. Real Madrid are also unbeaten in their last two UEFA Champions League games against German opposition.

Simply put, we cannot look past Real Madrid here. Their impressive home form and recent results against German opposition should put them in good stead for an opening game win.

Real Madrid 2-0 VFB Stuttgart.

The UEFA Champions League is again upon us as teams brace themselves for Europe’s Elite Competition. Reigning Champions Real Madrid are expected to challenge once again, and they begin their defence of their European crown at home to VFB Stuttgart.

Date: 17/09/2024
Location: Santiago Bernabeu
Kick-Off: 8 pm

The new UEFA Champions League format provides an exciting concept for this season's competition. The competition is now in a 36-team format, in which the top eight clubs automatically qualify for the knockout phase, with teams ranked from ninth to 24th competing in a two-legged play-off fixture to be second-seeded and face the teams already qualified. From there, the competition will resume with the normal knockout phase from previous years. Each team is now required to play eight games instead of six.

Real Madrid are the undisputed Kings of Europe with their rich history in this competition. Los Blancos have won this historic tournament on no less than 15 times and are once again amongst the favourites for the competition. Last campaign, they were pushed to the limits by Bayern Munich and Manchester City, however, the experience that comes with winning this tournament for Carlo Ancelotti oversaw their troubles. In the final, Real Madrid performed professionally against Borussia Dortmund to secure number 15. Real Madrid have strengthened their striking options by securing the lucrative signing of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint Germain in the summer.

VFB Stuttgart were excellent last season in the Bundesliga, and they would have been the season's story if it were not for Bayer Leverkusen. Under the astute management of Sebastian Hoeneß, the German side finished second in the league, ahead of Bayern Munich and restored their place amongst the European Elite once again, after almost suffering relegation the season prior.

This season marks the sixth appearance for VFB Stuttgart in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League format, in which their best performance was in 2009/10, where they reached the round of 16. They were eliminated by another Spanish team in Barcelona, convincingly with a 5-1 aggregate defeat. Stuttgart have reached two European Finals in their history. The first was a defeat to Napoli in the UEFA Cup 1989, and the second was a UEFA Cup Winners Cup defeat to English side Chelsea.

The game will be shown on TNT Sports 1.

Real Madrid Predicted Eleven: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy, Modric, Valverde, Rodrygo, Guler, Vinicius Jr, Mbappe.
VFB Stuttgart Predicted Eleven: Nubel, Vagnoman, Chase, Chabot, Mittelstadt, Karazor, Stiller, Rider, Leweling, Undav, Demirovic.

Real Madrid are in superb form heading into this game, having remained undefeated in their previous seven, including four wins from their last five at the Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos as mentioned earlier, are unbeaten in their last three home UEFA Champions League fixtures, including against Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Manchester City.

At home this season, Los Blancos have been exceptional so far with two wins from two, five goals scored, and no goal conceded. Last season, their home form was unbelievable after they remained unbeaten for an entire season in front of their home fans. Carlo Ancelotti’s side won 16 of their 19 La Liga fixtures at home, and impressively, they’ve only conceded six goals in that time. Their previous home fixture was a 2-0 win over Real Betis, in which Kylian Mbappe scored a brace.

VFB Stuttgart are also in impressive form, heading into this game with no losses in their previous four. The German outfit have also been the first team to score in their last five games. Stuttgart posted a respectable away record away from home last season with 1.82 points per game. The visitors ended the season with ten wins from 18 and three wins from their previous five away games last season.

Stuttgart has won 50% of their away fixtures this season, with a loss away at SC Freiburg and a recent win against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Their recent win showcased the strength of their two-striker system as both Denis Undav and Ermedin Demirovic (x2) got on the scoresheet.

• Latest match predictions
• Football tips
• Football accumulator tips
• Football bet of the day