VfB Stuttgart vs. Celta Vigo preview: Die Schwaben welcome Spanish visitors to open European campaign

Stuttgart are competing in back-to-back European tournaments for the first time in nearly 15 years, after facing Europe’s elite last season in the Champions League.

After managing just three wins from eight group matches, a step down to the Europa League offers Sebastian Hoeneß’s side a much more realistic chance of progression. 

After opening the new campaign with two defeats, VfB have steadied themselves, with a 2-0 win over St. Pauli highlighting improvements at both ends of the pitch.

The main concern lies in a poor historical record against Spanish clubs – nine defeats in their last 15 meetings, with only two wins in that span of matches. 

Ermedin Demirovic will lead the line, aiming to extend his streak of goal contributions to four consecutive games. Deniz Undav remains sidelined with a knee problem, while Leonidas Stergiou is out with an ankle injury.

Chema Andres impressed against St. Pauli and could keep his place.

Predicted lineup – 4-2-3-1: Nübel – Assignon, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstädt – Chema, Stiller – Tomas, El Khannouss, Leweling – Demirovic