Schalke's compact defence needs midfield support to turn clearances into useful forward passes. Leipzig have recently created their decisive openings through wide supply and runners arriving in the box. Leverkusen and Stuttgart face a related midfield contest, with Stuttgart replacing their usual deep supplier while still needing to protect their own receiving zones.
Nusa's work outside the defence and Raum's delivery give Leipzig ways to supply Romulo and the next arriving attacker. Those links have worked in successive domestic matches. Schalke's recent forward play has remained inaccurate, making it harder to relieve the pressure their defensive block absorbs.
Vozar is newly unavailable after starting in the cup, adding to Schalke's midfield restrictions. Karaman and Ljubicic both made substitute appearances and remain possible contributors; they are included in the opposing picture. Nkunku and Baumgartner are managed options for Leipzig, whose demonstrated supply does not require either to start. I expect the visitors to build territory and continue testing the wide cover as the game develops. That's why I'm siding with RB Leipzig to win.
Leverkusen can connect García and Fernández with Maza, Tillman and Schick, while García's corners provide another way into the box. Their cup recovery followed the introduction of Schick, Maza and Fernández at halftime. Stuttgart's recent Gladbach defeat showed repeated good receiving positions conceded despite having much more possession.
Stiller is now out after starting the cup match, changing Stuttgart's first-pass duties. Undav, Führich and Demirović preserve their advanced connections, while Leverkusen's current attacking absences leave the recently used unit responsible for the response. I expect Bayer to press those replacement midfield duties and build wide attacks and corners, with substitutions shaping the next phase. The combination of that available attack and Stuttgart's present protection problems is why I'm siding with Bayer Leverkusen to win.
