Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Champions League Odds for Wednesday, September 9th
Read our Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking prediction with top betting picks, odds, and projected lineups ahead of Wednesday's Champions League game at MHPArena.
Grayson Parker - September 9, 2026, 12:30 PM EDT
6 Minute ReadVfb Stuttgart vs Viking Game Preview
Competition | UEFA Champions League |
|---|---|
Game Date | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 |
Game Time | 12:45 PM ET / 9:45 AM PT |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Stuttgart, MHPArena |
The Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking matchup opens the Champions League league phase at MHPArena, pitting heavy home favorites against a Norwegian side back in Europe's biggest competition.
VfB Stuttgart are in the Champions League proper for the fifth time in club history, and the second time in three seasons. Sebastian Hoeneß has the quality to dominate this game.
Viking reached the league phase in August 2026 by beating Dinamo Zagreb 5-3 on aggregate in the playoff round. It marks their first appearance in the competition proper since the 1983/84 European Cup.
The stakes are simple: Stuttgart want a winning start on home soil, while Viking aim to prove their qualifying momentum can travel against Bundesliga opposition.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Recent Results
Stuttgart come in having won three of their last six games in all competitions, scoring 14 times across that run. Domestically, they bounced back from a 5-1 loss to Bayern Munich with a 4-1 win over Koln. Deniz Undav is the engine, directly involved in 39 goals last season with 25 goals and 14 assists.
Viking arrive unbeaten in five and having scored 12 goals in their last six games. They edged Dinamo Zagreb via a 2-2 away tie and a 3-1 home win in qualifying. Zlatko Tripic, their main attacking reference, has scored twice in European qualifying, while Tobias Moi netted in the decisive playoff leg.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Vfb Stuttgart: Nikolas Nartey (Injured/out), Luca Jaquez (Injured/out), Tiago Tomas (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 Baertelsen (Injured/out), Henrik Falchener (Injured/out)
Vfb Stuttgart
Hoeneß is without Nartey, Jaquez, Tomas, Assignon and Seimen, leaving the hosts short of rotation depth. Fabian Bredlow should start in goal behind Finn Jeltsch, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Jeff Chabot. Angelo Stiller anchors midfield and remains central to Stuttgart's progression, while Undav and Bilal El Khannouss operate behind Dženan Pejčinović up top.
Viking
Morten Jensen is without Berisha, Roseth, D'Agostino, Baertelsen and Falchener, leaving Viking especially thin in defense. Arild Østbø starts in goal behind Henrik Heggheim, Gianni Stensness and Kristoffer Haugen. Joe Bell, Kristoffer Askildsen and Moi should form the midfield three, with Tripic leading the line as the visitors' key attacking outlet.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Predicted Lineup
Vfb Stuttgart
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: F. Bredlow; J. Chabot, M. Mittelstädt, F. Jeltsch; C. Führich, G. Prömel, A. Stiller, J. Vagnoman; D. Undav, B. E. Khannouss; D. Pejcinovic
Viking
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Starting Lineup: A. Østbø; K. Haugen, J. Daland, G. Stensness, H. Heggheim; T. Moi, K. Askildsen, J. Bell; A. Cosic, Z. Tripic, P. Christiansen
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Key Stats & Game Facts
- Stuttgart have won four of six home games in last season's Europa League.
- Viking are making their first European Cup or Champions League appearance since 1983/84.
- Viking have lost 10 of their previous 12 games in the Champions League.
- Norwegian sides have just one win from six previous European away games against Bundesliga opposition.
- Viking have scored in 11 consecutive games across all competitions.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Prediction & Best Picks
Our Prediction
Our prediction is a comfortable Stuttgart win. The hosts are heavy favorites, projected at 3.36 goals to Viking's 1.49, and their midfield quality and home advantage should carry the day. Expect Stuttgart to control the game, though Viking's attacking momentum should be enough for both teams to score. Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking betting odds have them as clear favorites for good reason.
Best Picks
Henrik Heggheim to record Over 2.5 tackles in the Player Tackles market. In the Player Tackles market, Viking are set to absorb relentless pressure on the road, and the projection gives Heggheim a 58.01% probability to log at least three tackles. As Viking's right back facing Stuttgart's wide runners, he should be busy all night.
Maximilian Mittelstädt to record Over 0.5 shots on target in the Player Shots On Target market. In the Player Shots On Target market, Stuttgart are heavy home favorites projected to create plenty of chances, and the projection gives Mittelstädt a 55.90% probability to land at least one shot on target. His forward runs make him a live candidate to test Østbø.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Same Game Parlay
Our four-leg Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking same game parlay backs Stuttgart on the moneyline, Deniz Undav to score, both teams to find the net, and Herman Haugen to be shown a card.
Stuttgart hold the quality and home advantage to win this Champions League opener, sitting as clear favorites with projections handing them a 73% probability.
Undav is the focal point of the attack and their most productive player, making him a strong bet to get on the scoresheet against a depleted Viking defense.
Both teams to score fits the picture at 74.69%: Stuttgart will pour forward, but Viking have scored in 11 straight games and carry real attacking threat.
Haugen faces a tough defensive assignment against Stuttgart's wide threats and looks a candidate to pick up a card as the pressure mounts.
Right now, this Same Game Parlay returns a best price of +775 and goes as short as +225 at its lowest elsewhere. That's a $55 swing in potential profit from best to worst price on a $10 stake.
Lock in the best price on your Same Game Parlay using Oddschecker's Exclusive Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.
Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Talking Points
History looms over both camps here. Stuttgart have never won a Champions League opening game, with one tie and three defeats across their previous four Matchday 1 outings, so a flat start would fit an uncomfortable pattern. Their attacking numbers, though, are hard to ignore, as their previous 16 European games produced 56 goals, an average of 3.5 per game. Viking arrive as one of four competition debutants alongside Como, Sabah and LASK, and while their qualifying run showed genuine bite, protecting possession against Stuttgart's press will be the whole game. Look for Undav to pull the strings and for the visitors to chase an early foothold before the hosts' quality tells.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Predictions FAQs
When is the Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking Champions League game?
The game takes place on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, kicking off at 12:45 PM ET / 9:45 AM PT.
Where is Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking being played?
The game is being played at MHPArena in Stuttgart.
Where can I watch Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking?
The game is scheduled for broadcast on TNT Sport Extra.
What is the prediction for Vfb Stuttgart vs Viking?
VfB Stuttgart hold the advantage at home with superior midfield progression, while Viking will look to stay competitive through their recent attacking form.
Affiliate Disclosure
We are not a gambling or betting operator, but we receive a commission from these companies when we advertise their brands and refer customers to them (affiliate marketing). We provide information, odds information and links to websites of these companies. Some of the information made available on our site may be positioned as a result of a commission paid to us by a third party. We do not take or place bets/transactions and any information on Our Products is provided for entertainment purposes only.
Please gamble responsibly. 21+.
