Bayer Leverkusen to host VfB Stuttgart at BayArena in Bundesliga matchweek 8 on October 31

Bayer Leverkusen will host VfB Stuttgart at the BayArena on October 31 in their matchweek 8 fixture of the Bundesliga 2026-27 season, with both sides coming into the game off mixed cup and league results.

Leverkusen enter the fixture after a 5-2 victory over FC Nürnberg in the DFB-Pokal but arrive in the league having lost 0-3 to Hoffenheim under coach Carles Martínez Novell; they have four wins from seven Bundesliga games and sit fourth in the table. VfB Stuttgart, managed by Sebastian Hoeneß, have won just twice in seven league matches and are 15th after suffering back-to-back league defeats, although they beat Paderborn 1-0 in the German Cup.

Alex Garcia, described in the source as a 29-year-old who will play an important role, was noted for a strong work rate in the Hoffenheim defeat and provided two assists to be named Player of the Match in the recent DFB-Pokal win. Deniz Undav, who scored the match-winning goal for Stuttgart in their cup tie, is mentioned as a 30-year-old yet to open his Bundesliga account this season and will be tasked with improving Stuttgart’s league form.

A string of injuries affects both squads: Bayer Leverkusen are without Guela Doue, Martin Terrier, Kennet Eichhorn, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Christian Kofane and Mousa Diaby. VfB Stuttgart will be without Dan-Axel Zagadou, Justin Diehl, Josha Vagnoman and Tiago Tomas due to injury.

Projected lineups listed in the source read as follows — Bayer Leverkusen: Flekken (GK); Quansah, Tapsoba, Medina, Gutierrez; Garcia, Fernandez; Hofmann, Maza, Tella; Schick. VfB Stuttgart: Seimen (GK); Assignon, Jeltsch, Hendriks, Mittelstadt; Karazor, Stiller; Sauer, Undav, Fuhrich; Demirovic.

The preview notes home advantage for Die Werkself and suggests VfB Stuttgart will seek to respond after recent setbacks; the written prediction given is Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 VfB Stuttgart. Broadcast information in the source lists UK coverage on Sky Sports, Amazon Prime Video and BBC, and indicates Zee5 as a streaming option for matches.

The match at BayArena on October 31 will decide whether Leverkusen can arrest their league dip after the Hoffenheim defeat and whether Stuttgart can turn cup momentum into improved Bundesliga results; fans and viewers can follow live coverage via the broadcasters and streaming services listed by the source.