VfB Stuttgart vs. Viking FK preview: Team news & predicted lineups
| Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images |
After beginning the new season with a 4-0 away win over Hansa Rostock in the DFB-Pokal, VfB Stuttgart were brought back down to earth in their Bundesliga opener, suffering a 5-1 defeat to a clinical Bayern Munich side despite causing the champions problems in the first half.
Sebastian Hoeness' side responded in impressive fashion, however, beating 1. FC Köln 4-1 on Friday with a dominant display to head into their 2026/27 Champions League opener against Norwegian champions Viking FK on a high.
Viking, meanwhile, failed to secure an ideal result ahead of their trip to Stuttgart, as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Sandefjord in the Norwegian Eliteserien. They currently sit second in the table, three points behind leaders Bodø/Glimt.
The Stavanger-based outfit secured Champions League qualification for the first time in club history with a 5-3 aggregate victory over Dinamo Zagreb and now travel to the MHPArena for their Champions League debut and first-ever meeting with VfB Stuttgart.
Team news and predicted lineups:
With Dennis Seimen still sidelined, Fabian Bredlow is set to continue deputising in goal for Stuttgart.
The Bundesliga side will also be without Tiago Tomas, Nikolas Nartey, Luca Jaquez, Justin Diehl and Dan-Axel Zagadou due to injury.
Viking, meanwhile, will have to cope without Martin Ove Roseth, Veton Berisha, Anders Bærtelsen, Henrik Falchener and Nick D'Agostino, who are all sidelined with injuries.
Click here to see our predicted VfB Stuttgart vs. Viking FK lineups.
