VfB Stuttgart v Viking prediction: lineups, team news & tips

VfB Stuttgart open their Champions League league phase campaign against Viking on Wednesday, the first of eight games in the newly expanded format. Bet365 make the hosts overwhelming favourites at 1/4, with Viking out at a general 19/2 and the draw priced at 13/2.

Stuttgart go into the fixture without any league phase points on the board yet this term, this being their first European outing of the season. Viking arrive with a two-legged play-off already navigated, and know a strong start away from home would settle any early nerves in the new format.

Stuttgart's route to Matchday 1 is a straightforward one on paper: this is simply their opening fixture of the competition proper, with no European action recorded for them yet this season.

Viking had to work harder for their place. They drew 2-2 away at Dinamo Zagreb before winning the return leg 3-1 at home, going through 5-3 on aggregate. That home win produced three goals in a single game, their biggest attacking return of the two legs, while the away draw showed they can find the net on the road too.

Neither side is likely to experiment heavily here. Points on the opening day of the 36-team league phase carry real weight given how tight the qualification places can become, and both clubs will want their strongest available group out from the first whistle.

Stuttgart's team sheet will be shaped more by absentees than by any deliberate rotation, with a lengthy injury and suspension list forcing changes regardless of the manager's preference.

Kick-off at the MHPArena is at 17:45 BST on Wednesday 9 September. The exact UK broadcaster for this fixture had not been confirmed at the time of writing, so check closer to kick-off for the live listings. As a league phase fixture, the result stands after 90 minutes with no extra time or penalties in play.