Bundesliga holders Bayer Leverkusen face a tough clash on Friday as they welcome 8th-placed Stuttgart to the BayArena in a game that will see Leverkusen try to close the five-point gap behind leaders Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig.

Stuttgart on the other hand, buoyed by a recent winning streak, looks to continue climbing up the league table from their 8th spot.

Leverkusen’s 10-Match Unbeaten Streak Tested | Home Win = 1.58

Leverkusen’s form has been solid, remaining unbeaten in their last 10 games across all competitions.

However, Xabi Alonso’s team has drawn three (3) of their last four (4) league matches, with recent 2-2 draws against Holstein Kiel and Werder Bremen showing that they are not at their best in the league.

Something they might want to fix quickly before a Stuttgart side that has been a pain in Leverkusen’s side in recent meetings comes into town on Friday. A win at home is crucial to maintain their pursuit of Bayern and Leipzig at the top of the table.

Stuttgart in Resilient Form | Away Win = 5.27

Stuttgart arrives at BayArena in great shape, having won each of their last three games, including a 1-0 victory over Juventus in the UEFA Champions League.

While they’ve lost just one of their last seven (7) Bundesliga matches, Stuttgart’s away form remains inconsistent, with only one win in their last four (4) games on the road.

Still, their form has given them a solid mid-table position, and they’ll be looking to exploit Leverkusen's recent defensive struggles, which is reflected in their 80% score for both teams scoring (BTTS) in all their games this season on MSport’s M Stats.

Key Players & Team News:

Leverkusen will miss forward Amine Adli due to a long-term injury. Alonso may rely on centre-backs Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah, and Piero Hincapie to provide solidity in front of keeper Lukas Hradecky. Victor Boniface will spearhead the attack, with support from Martin Terrier and Florian Wirtz.

For Stuttgart, key absentees include centre-backs Dan-Axel Zagadou and Jeff Chabot, weakening their backline. Luca Raimund and Yannik Keitel are also sidelined, while winger Justin Diehl and right-back Leonidas Stergiou remain doubtful. Manager Sebastian Hoeness could turn to a makeshift defense to counter Leverkusen’s offense.

Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 4.85

Leverkusen has an impressive home record, unbeaten in five (5) games at BayArena with four (4) wins. They’ve managed 26 victories in their last 32 home fixtures, a clear advantage. | Specials Market: Home & Over 2.5 = 1.87

Stuttgart, according to MSport’s latest rich statistics feature M Stats, is in great form winning all their last three (3) games in all competitions including a huge 0-1 win in Turin against Juventus in the UCL. | Specials Market: Draw/Away & Under 4.5 = 2.90

The last three encounters between Leverkusen and Stuttgart ended in draws, with each match yielding under 2.5 goals. Expect a tense and tactical contest as both sides look to secure points. | Main Market: Under 3.5 = 1.88

You can check out & follow the Bundesliga game, Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart, on MSport.

Following their recent Premier League clash where the Blues beat Howe’s side 2-1, Newcastle United and Chelsea are set to renew hostilities at St. James’ Park in the EFL Cup fourth round on Wednesday with revenge on the minds of the Magpies.

Newcastle Hope for Cup Upset | Home Win = 2.56

Newcastle may be short of form, but they’ll take heart from their last Sunday meeting with Chelsea, where they put up a strong fight despite losing 2-1. With only one defeat in five (5) home games in all competitions, the Magpies can dream of an upset.

Eddie Howe will see this as a prime opportunity to give fans something to cheer about, especially given their significant injury woes.

Much will depend on the form of Alexander Isak, who scored against the Blues at Stamford Bridge last Sunday and whether he can find his shooting boots to lead his side to a crucial win in this domestic cup game.

Chelsea’s Resurgence and Recent Form | Away Win = 2.60

Chelsea has hit a strong run of form, with seven (7) wins in their last nine (9) matches across all competitions. Jackson and Palmer were on target in their last meeting with Newcastle, and Maresca’s side will look to carry that momentum into Wednesday’s clash.

Maresca’s men, boasting one of the league’s most efficient attacks, are brimming with confidence after reasserting their top-four credentials in recent weeks, and with Chelsea aiming to return to their “big club” status, they will know that lifting trophies like this EFL Cup is how they do that.

Key Players & Team News:

Chelsea is likely to rotate their squad, with players like Joao Felix and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall expected to return to the line-up. Maresca’s rotation strategy has paid dividends so far, allowing squad players like Christopher Nkunku to showcase their talents.

Newcastle, on the other hand, is grappling with multiple injuries. With Anthony Gordon a doubt and Trippier, Botman, and Wilson sidelined, Howe’s side faces a depleted line-up.

The pressure is on the likes of Jacob Murphy and Will Osula to step up in attack, as they’ll need a disciplined performance to break down Chelsea’s defence.

Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 3.52

Chelsea’s recent form of three (3) wins and one (1) draw in five (5) games and their recent dominance over Newcastle (3W 1D in 5G) makes them favourites. | Specials Market: Away & Over 1.5 = 3.00

Newcastle have beaten Chelsea in their last two encounters at home at St. James’s Park (4-1, 1-0). | Specials Market: GG (Yes) & Over 2.5 = 1.82

Chelsea have seen both teams score (GG) in all their five games in all competitions while there have also been (GG) in all the last five (5) games between both teams. | Main Market: Over 2.5 = 1.63.

You can check out the EFL Cup game, Newcastle vs Chelsea, here on MSport.

2021 EFL Cup finalists, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, will face off again in Round 4 of the competition on Wednesday, when Pep’s boys come to visit the Tottenham Stadium, a place they’ve had a torrid time at previously.

Tottenham looks to Reignite Cup Glory | Home Win = 2.53

Spurs, hungry to end a 16-year trophy drought, narrowly missed out on this trophy by a lone goal when the two sides met in 2021 and it would be some form of revenge if they could get one over City in the competition.

Despite an inconsistent league start, Tottenham remains dangerous, with four straight home wins in all competitions, something that should give Postecoglou’s side a lot of confidence coming into this crunch encounter.

This EFL Cup represents Spurs’ best shot at lifting a trophy this season since their first EFL Cup success since 2008. If they can shake off recent defensive lapses, an upset against City may be within reach.

City Look to Get Back to EFL Cup Glory | Away Win = 2.59

Manchester City is known for their success in domestic cups, but recent exits for the past three (3) years consecutively, last lifting it in 2021, have meant they’ve lost their Cup street cred.

Guardiola’s men enter Wednesday’s game on a five-match winning streak, thanks to Haaland’s clinical form, and will hope that their incredible form will be enough to get them the win against Spurs in front of their fans for only the third time since 2019.

However, with a busy October schedule, City may rotate heavily, presenting an opportunity for some bench players and academy players to impress Pep Guardiola.

Key Players & Team News:

Tottenham will be without Son Heung-min, with Postecoglou potentially granting Mikey Moore a second start. Djed Spence, sidelined due to a groin injury, will miss out, leaving the hosts with fewer defensive options.

City’s lineup could feature youngsters, given Guardiola’s intent to rotate. De Bruyne and Walker remain absent, and academy players may fill the void. Erling Haaland’s scoring prowess, however, provides City with a significant edge.

Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 3.58

Spurs are on a four-game winning streak at their home, the Tottenham Stadium, in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and conceding just 2. | Specials Market: Over 2.5 & Yes = 1.65

Man City have beaten Spurs three (3) times in their last five (5) meetings, with the last two coming at the Tottenham Stadium. | Specials Market: Away & Over 1.5 = 2.90

There have been over 3.5 goals in three (3) of City’s last five (5) games, while there have been over 3.5 goals in two of City’s last five (5) games. | Main Market: Over 3.5 = 2.16

You can check out and follow the EFL Cup game, Spurs vs City, on MSport.