Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Introduction

The “Yellow Wall” at Signal Iduna Park prepares for one of its most dreaded fixtures in recent years. Borussia Dortmund, currently sitting 3rd in the Bundesliga, host their ultimate “bogey team,” VfB Stuttgart (4th).

Despite Dortmund’s strong home form, the psychological weight of recent history is heavy—Stuttgart has won the last five meetings between these sides, scoring a staggering 12 goals in the process. With both teams locked on similar points and fighting for Champions League dominance, this Saturday evening clash is arguably the game of the weekend in Germany. Can Niko Kovač’s Dortmund finally break the “Stuttgart Curse,” or will Sebastian Hoeneß’s Swabians march on?

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Quick Match Info

Fixture: Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart
Competition: Bundesliga (Matchday 11)
Venue: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
Date: Saturday, 22 November 2025
Kickoff Time: 18:30 CET / 17:30 GMT / 23:00 IST
Referee: Benjamin Brand (Germany)
Capacity: 81,365
TV Channel (UK): Sky Sports Football
TV Channel (USA): ESPN+
TV Channel (India): Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV
Live Stream: ESPN+ (USA), SonyLIV (India)

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Match Context (2025/26 Season)

Borussia Dortmund:

Position: 3rd in Bundesliga.
Form: Mixed. A frustrating 1-1 draw vs Hamburg followed a heavy 4-1 loss to Man City in the Champions League. They need a bounce-back performance.
Current Challenge: Overcoming a mental block against Stuttgart and tightening a defense that has leaked 5 goals in 2 games.

VfB Stuttgart:

Position: 4th in Bundesliga.
Form: Strong. Coming off a thrilling 3-2 win vs Augsburg and a solid 2-0 Europa League win vs Feyenoord.
Current Challenge: Maintaining their attacking rhythm without top scorer Ermedin Demirović, who is out with a foot injury.

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — What’s at Stake

For Borussia Dortmund:

Ending the Curse: Losing 6 in a row to Stuttgart would be a humiliation for a club of Dortmund’s stature.
Top 4 Security: A win would create a buffer between them and Stuttgart in the race for Champions League spots.

For VfB Stuttgart:

Statement of Intent: Winning at Signal Iduna Park without their main striker would prove they are genuine title contenders, not just top-4 hopefuls.
Momentum: With RB Leipzig dropping points, a win could push Stuttgart as high as 2nd depending on other results.

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Team Form

Borussia Dortmund (Last 5 Matches):

D vs Hamburger SV (1-1)
L vs Manchester City (1-4)
W vs Augsburg (1-0)
W vs Eintracht Frankfurt (2-1)
W vs FC Koln (1-0)

VfB Stuttgart (Last 5 Matches):

W vs Augsburg (3-2)
W vs Feyenoord (2-0)
L vs RB Leipzig (1-3)
W vs Mainz (2-0)
W vs Mainz (2-1)

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Team News

Borussia Dortmund:

Niklas Süle: Questionable (Toe Injury – Late fitness test).
Karim Adeyemi: Available (Expected to start).
Serhou Guirassy: Available (Facing his former club).
Julian Brandt: Available (Key playmaker).

VfB Stuttgart:

Ermedin Demirović: Out (Foot Injury – Huge loss for the attack).
Justin Diehl: Out (Ankle Injury).
Luca Jaquez: Out (Muscle Injury).
Yannik Keitel: Out (Thigh Injury).
Silas: Out (Ankle Injury – Unavailable against his parent club/former team context).
Deniz Undav: Available (Will lead the line in Demirović’s absence).

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Head to Head

08 Feb 2025: Dortmund 1–2 Stuttgart
22 Sep 2024: Stuttgart 5–1 Dortmund
06 Apr 2024: Dortmund 0–1 Stuttgart
07 Dec 2023: Stuttgart 2–0 Dortmund (DFB Pokal)
11 Nov 2023: Stuttgart 2–1 Dortmund

Analysis: It is a horror show for Dortmund. Stuttgart has won 5 consecutive matches against BVB across all competitions.

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Predicted Lineups

Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1):

Kovač will likely stick to his trusted 4-2-3-1, relying on Guirassy to punish his old teammates.

GK: Gregor Kobel
RB: Yan Couto
CB: Waldemar Anton
CB: Nico Schlotterbeck
LB: Ramy Bensebaini
CDM: Emre Can
CM: Pascal Groß
RW: Donyell Malen
CAM: Julian Brandt
LW: Jamie Gittens
ST: Serhou Guirassy

VfB Stuttgart (4-2-3-1):

With Demirović out, Undav shifts to the lone striker role, with Millot pushing higher.

GK: Alexander Nübel
RB: Josha Vagnoman
CB: Anrie Chase
CB: Jeff Chabot
LB: Maximilian Mittelstädt
CDM: Atakan Karazor
CM: Angelo Stiller
RW: Jamie Leweling
CAM: Enzo Millot
LW: Chris Führich
ST: Deniz Undav

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Tactical Outlook

Borussia Dortmund:

Playing Style: “Controlled Aggression.” Kovač wants Dortmund to be physically imposing. They will look to dominate the midfield battle with Can and Groß, preventing Stuttgart’s quick transitions. Expect them to target Stuttgart’s young center-back Anrie Chase with Guirassy’s physicality.
Weakness: Transition Defense. Dortmund was exposed by Man City and Hamburg on the counter. Stuttgart’s wingers (Führich and Leweling) are perfect for exploiting the space behind Couto and Bensebaini.

VfB Stuttgart:

Playing Style: Fluid Verticality. Hoeneß’s side doesn’t hold possession for the sake of it; they attack fast. Without Demirović, they might play slightly more ground passes, using Undav as a false nine to pull Dortmund’s CBs out of position and allow Millot to run into the box.
Strength: Psychological Edge. They know exactly how to beat Dortmund. Their high press often causes Dortmund’s backline to panic.

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Key Battles

Matchup	Battle Type	Edge
Waldemar Anton vs. Deniz Undav	The Reunion: Anton (ex-Stuttgart captain) knows Undav’s game inside out. But Undav’s low center of gravity is tricky for tall defenders like Anton.	Even
Julian Brandt vs. Angelo Stiller	Creative Control: Brandt is the heartbeat of BVB. Stiller must shadow him tightly. If Brandt gets time to turn, Guirassy will get chances.	Dortmund
Yan Couto vs. Chris Führich	Speed vs. Skill: Couto loves to attack, which leaves space. Führich is one of the best 1v1 dribblers in the league. This flank is where the goals will come from.	Stuttgart

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Spotlight Players

Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund):

The former Stuttgart hero has been Dortmund’s main man this season. He has a point to prove against his old side, having failed to score in the last H2H. His aerial threat will be vital against a Stuttgart defense missing some height.

Angelo Stiller (VfB Stuttgart):

The metronome of Stuttgart’s midfield. With Keitel out, Stiller’s responsibility doubles. He needs to dictate the tempo and bypass Dortmund’s press to release the wingers. If he plays well, Stuttgart plays well.

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Statistical Snapshot

Metric	Borussia Dortmund	VfB Stuttgart
League Position	3rd	4th
Last 5 Matches	3W, 1D, 1L	4W, 1L
H2H (Last 5)	1 Wins	4 Wins
Goals Scored (Last 5)	8	12
Clean Sheets (Last 5)	1	2

Explanation: Stuttgart enters with better form and a terrifying H2H record. However, Dortmund’s home advantage (Signal Iduna Park) is the X-factor that the stats can’t fully measure.

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Fan Reactions

Dortmund Fans:

“If we lose to Stuttgart again, I’m turning off the TV. We need Anton and Guirassy to show them who’s boss.”

“No Demirović for them? No excuses this time. We have to win.”

Stuttgart Fans:

“Signal Iduna Park is basically our training ground at this point. 6 in a row incoming!”

“Undav is enough. We don’t need Demirović to beat this Dortmund defense.”

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Where to Watch

India: Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV
UK: Sky Sports Football
USA: ESPN+
Germany: Sky Sport Bundesliga

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Match-Defining Factors

The “Anton” Factor: Waldemar Anton left Stuttgart for Dortmund in a controversial move. The emotional pressure on him facing his old club (and the away fans) will be immense. Can he keep his cool?
Stuttgart’s Missing Target Man: Without Demirović, Stuttgart loses their outlet for long balls. They must play through the ground, which is riskier against Dortmund’s pressing.
The First 15 Minutes: Dortmund must start fast to get the crowd involved. If Stuttgart scores early (like they often do), the “Yellow Wall” might get nervous.

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Prediction

Score Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2–1 VfB Stuttgart

Betting Insights:

Outcome: Dortmund to Win (Home advantage + Stuttgart missing Demirović).
Total Goals: Over 2.5 Goals (This fixture historically produces goals; 14 goals in last 4 league meetings).
Both Teams to Score: YES (Dortmund’s defense is shaky; Stuttgart always finds a way to score vs BVB).

Analysis: The absence of Ermedin Demirović is the game-changer. While Stuttgart has the psychological edge, Dortmund’s squad depth and home crowd should finally help them scrape a narrow victory and end the curse. Expect Guirassy to score the winner.

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — Final Word

This is “Must-Win” territory for Borussia Dortmund. Failing to beat a weakened Stuttgart side at home would raise serious questions about their title credentials. For Stuttgart, it’s a free hit—win, and they are heroes; lose, and they blame injuries. Expect a fiery, open game with plenty of chances at both ends, but the Yellow Wall should finally celebrate a win over their nemesis.

Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart — FAQs

When is the Dortmund vs Stuttgart match?

The match kicks off on Saturday, 22 November 2025, at 18:30 CET (23:00 IST).

Is Ermedin Demirović playing?

No, Demirović is Out with a foot injury. Deniz Undav is expected to replace him in attack.

Where can I watch Dortmund vs Stuttgart in India?

You can watch the match live on Sony Sports Network channels or stream it via the SonyLIV app.

What is Dortmund’s recent record vs Stuttgart?

It is poor. Dortmund has lost their last 5 consecutive matches against Stuttgart across all competitions.

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