Verdict: Stuttgart win
Best odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: 888sport
With a Europa League spot at stake in the DFB-Pokal final, not to mention the trophy itself, Stuttgart will aim to bring Arminia Bielefeld’s dream run to a halt on Saturday.
The third-division outfit stunned defending champions Bayer Leverkusen with a 2-1 semifinal victory on April 1, while top-flight side Stuttgart overcame RB Leipzig 3-1 in their semi the following day.
Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia restricted Leverkusen to just 0.29 xG from open play, and notably, the dethroned champions’ 22 touches in the box were only two more than Bielefeld managed.
Now set to compete in the 2. Bundesliga next season after topping the 3. Liga table, Bielefeld did so with the league’s t third-highest goal tally (64) and the best defensive record (36 goals conceded).
Though they lost 6-0 to Stuttgart in the second round of the 2022 DFB-Pokal, they have since defeated top-tier opposition in each of their last four cup games.
Manager Michel Kniat’s side have netted 11 times and let in just three goals across five matches in this season’s tournament.
Unbeaten in 13 matches, with 11 wins and seven clean sheets in that stretch, Bielefeld are in formidable form.
Team News
While they often use a back four in league play, Bielefeld shifted to a back three against Leverkusen, and Kniat could once again deploy Leon Schneider, Stefano Russo, and Maximilian Grosser in central defence for added resilience.
In midfield, Sam Schreck and Mael Corboz are likely to operate between wing-backs Felix Hagman and Louis Oppie.
Up front, Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee and Marius Wörl should be tasked with ing central striker Joel Grodowski.
Stuttgart
Stuttgart closed out their 2024–25 Bundesliga campaign with a 3-2 win over RB Leipzig on May 17, marking their third straight victory.
Sebastian Hoeness’s side also kept two clean sheets during that run and netted eight goals, while progressing through five DFB-Pokal rounds with an aggregate score of 14-2.
Two of their goals against Leipzig came from corner routines, contributing to their league-best tally of 18 set-piece goals – tied with another Bundesliga team.
Despite finishing a disappointing ninth in the league, Hoeness could end the season on a high, as a win on Saturday would secure Stuttgart’s first trophy since their 2006–07 Bundesliga title.
Victory would also earn Die Roten their fourth DFB-Pokal crown. In contrast, if Bielefeld were to triumph, they would become the 22nd different club to lift the trophy since 1952/53 and the first from outside the top two divisions to do so.
Team News
Stuttgart are monitoring the fitness of midfield lynchpin Angelo Stiller; if he is not fit to start, Atakan Karazor and Enzo Millot may form a double pivot in midfield.
Centre-back Leonidas Stergiou remains sidelined with a foot injury until mid-June, meaning Finn Jeltsch, Julian Chabot, and Ramon Hendriks could make up the defensive trio.
In attack, Jamie Leweling and Deniz Undav are expected to striker Nick Woltemade again, mirroring the setup used against Leipzig.
Conclusion
Given Bielefeld’s remarkable run – having already knocked out several Bundesliga sides in this season’s DFB-Pokal – they are likely to provide a stern test for Stuttgart.
However, Stuttgart concluded their league campaign in excellent form, and considering they are facing a team from a lower division, they should be regarded as firm favourites to lift the trophy.
Verdict: Stuttgart win
Best odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: 888sport
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