Read our Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking prediction with lineups, betting tips, and odds analysis as the German side host the Norwegian visitors in European action.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Match Summary
Competition | Champions League |
|---|---|
Match Date | Wednesday 9 September 2026 |
Match Time | 17:45 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | MHPArena |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | TNT Sport Extra (UK) |
Stuttgart open their Champions League campaign at home to Viking, and this tie looks a mismatch on paper.
Sebastian Hoeneß's side arrive as clear favourites, priced at 1/4 with Coral. They have won three of their last six in all competitions and remain a dangerous attacking outfit at the MHPArena.
Viking make their Champions League league phase debut after seeing off Dinamo Zagreb 5-3 on aggregate in the play-offs. They arrive unbeaten in five and full of belief.
Viking have scored 12 goals across their last six matches, but their record at this level is difficult to ignore. This is a first appearance in the competition since 1983/84.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Form
Stuttgart's recent form reads three wins, one draw and two defeats from their last six, scoring 14 times across that run. They won four of six home matches in last season's Europa League, though they ended it with three straight European defeats. Deniz Undav was directly involved in 39 goals last season, scoring 25 and assisting 14, and remains their standout attacker.
Viking arrive unbeaten in five, and they have scored in 11 consecutive matches across all competitions. They failed to open the scoring in any of their last six but still won three of them, which speaks to their resilience. Zlatko Tripić, their captain and main reference point, has already scored twice in European qualifying and remains the visitors' chief threat.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Vfb Stuttgart: Nikolas Nartey (Injured/out), Luca Jaquez (Injured/out), Tiago Tomás (Injured/out), Lorenz Assignon (Injured/out), Dennis Seimen (Injured/out)
Viking: Veton Berisha (Injured/out), Martin Ove Roseth (Injured/out), Nick D'Agostino (Injured/out), Anders Bærtelsen (Injured/out), Henrik Falchener (Injured/out)
Vfb Stuttgart
Sebastian Hoeneß is without Nikolas Nartey, Luca Jaquez, Tiago Tomás, Lorenz Assignon and Dennis Seimen, which thins out his rotational options. Fabian Bredlow should start in goal behind Finn Jeltsch, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Jeff Chabot. Angelo Stiller anchors midfield and stays central to progression, while Bilal El Khannouss and Deniz Undav should operate behind Dženan Pejčinović.
Viking
Morten Jensen is without Veton Berisha, Martin Ove Roseth, Nick D'Agostino, Anders Bærtelsen and Henrik Falchener, leaving Viking short in defence. Arild Østbø should start in goal, with Joe Bell, Kristoffer Askildsen and Tobias Moi forming the midfield three. Moi arrives in form after scoring in the decisive play-off win over Dinamo Zagreb, with Zlatko Tripić the focal point up top.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Predicted Lineup
Vfb Stuttgart
Formation: 3-4-2-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Bredlow; Chabot, Mittelstädt, Jeltsch; Führich, Prömel, Stiller, Vagnoman; Undav, El Khannouss; Pejcinovic
Viking
Formation: 4-3-3 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Østbø; Haugen, Daland, Stensness, Heggheim; Askildsen, Bell, Moi; Cosic, Tripic, Christiansen
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Key Stats & Match Facts
Stuttgart's win would have landed in 4 of their last 10 matches against all opponents, per the win-market hit rate.
Viking have scored in 11 consecutive matches across all competitions.
This is Viking's first appearance in the competition since 1983/84, and they have lost 10 of their previous 12 matches at this level.
Stuttgart won all four of their home fixtures in European group/league phase competition during the previous 2025/26 season.
Viking reached the league phase by beating Dinamo Zagreb 5-3 on aggregate, winning the return leg 3-1 through Tripić, Austbø and Moi.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: Stuttgart should dominate territory and possession under Hoeneß, and the numbers point firmly to a comfortable home win, with projections of 3.36 goals for the hosts against 1.49 for Viking. The visitors carry enough attacking threat to make both teams scoring a genuine possibility, but the greater experience, midfield quality and home advantage all point Stuttgart's way. Our prediction is a 3-1 home win.
Best Bets
Henrik Heggheim to commit over 1.5 fouls for Viking. With Stuttgart heavily favoured to dominate possession and drive forward through Undav and Führich, right-back Heggheim will be under near-constant pressure on his flank. The probability of him picking up at least two fouls is assessed as high given Stuttgart's attacking intent, which makes this a sensible angle.
Zlatko Tripic to be shown a card. Viking's captain and attacking talisman faces a demanding away test against superior opposition, and in a high-intensity battle against Stuttgart's press a booking looks a live possibility. The probability of Tripic receiving a card has been assessed at around 39%, which represents genuine value for the Norwegian.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Bet Builder
Our four-leg bet builder backs Stuttgart to win, Deniz Undav to score anytime, both teams to score, and Herman Haugen to be shown a card in this Champions League opener.
Stuttgart to win is the anchor. Hoeneß's side are clear favourites and their pressing profile should give them control at the MHPArena throughout.
Undav to score anytime makes sense given he was involved in 39 goals last season, scoring 25, and remains their most productive attacking player against a compact Viking defence.
Both teams to score adds value, with Viking scoring in 11 straight matches and a strong case for both sides finding the net given the visitors' attacking form through Tripić.
Herman Haugen to be shown a card fits the picture given the defensive demands of facing Stuttgart's aggressive press throughout, with Viking already stretched at the back.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 15/2 and is as short as 23/10 elsewhere.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Talking Points
There is a curious quirk hanging over the hosts. Stuttgart are chasing their first-ever opening matchday win in the Champions League, having managed only a draw and three defeats in previous matchday one fixtures. That said, they won all four of their home European group phase games last season, so the MHPArena remains a fortress. Viking, meanwhile, arrive with momentum but a daunting history, and the key for them is protecting possession and surviving the opening stages against Stuttgart's press. If they can weather the storm, their attacking threat through Tripić could make this competitive, but the balance of the fixture still leans heavily towards the home side.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Predictions FAQs
When is the Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Champions League game?
The match kicks off on Wednesday 9 September 2026 at 17:45 UK time.
Where is Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking being played?
The match will be played at MHPArena.
Where can I watch Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking?
The fixture will be broadcast live on TNT Sport Extra in the UK.
What competition is Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking in?
The match is being played in the Champions League.
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