- Standings: Stuttgart II (7th) have 3 points after 1 game, Viktoria Köln (18th) have zero after 1 game.
- Home form: Stuttgart II have lost 1 and won 1 of their last 2 home games.
- Away form: Viktoria Köln have won 2 and drawn 1 of their last 3 away games (all competitions).
Youth vs experience at MHPArena
Match context
Viktoria Koln 1904 will arrive at the MHPArena looking to replicate the 2-0 scoreline from the last meeting between these two sides at home, five months ago. However, the sides have gone in opposite directions since then with Stuttgart II sitting 7th and Viktoria 18th after one game.
Stuttgart II
Stuttgart II boss Nico Willig has been in charge since 1 July 2025 and his young side have generally played a youthful, development-focused possession style with the odd burst of verticality. Alexander Groiss is Stuttgart II's top scorer so far in the 3. Liga 2026/2027 with one goal in one game, but Nicolas Sessa has been the chief creator with 2 assists in one league game.
Viktoria Köln
Viktoria Koln 1904 boss Marian Wilhelm has been in the hot-seat since 1 July 2025 and his men have been far more compact, workmanlike and aggressive in pressing the ball. They have tried to match up and hunt Stuttgart II for turnovers and transition opportunities in the early games and Alexander Prokopenko has added the sharp finishing touch with 1 assist in 1 game.
Stuttgart II to edge it, but not without a fight
Stuttgart II make the 1.97 favorites here and the 3.13 on Viktoria to pull off the upset is tempting, but our prediction is that Stuttgart II will eventually break down Viktoria's defense and nick it here. However, the odds and Viktoria's superior away form suggests that this won't be a walkover for the home side.
These two styles should make for a lively chess match on Sunday, with Stuttgart II trying to control possession and dictating the pace and tempo while Viktoria hunt for turnovers and opportunities on the counter. Niklas Castelle has 1 goal in 1 game for Viktoria in the 3. Liga 2026/2027 and he looks the likeliest of either sides to pounce on a chance on the break.
Over 2.5 goals at 1.41 is our main selection here and both teams to score at 1.4 looks a little short.
- Stuttgart II have lost 3 and won 2 of their last 5 games in all competitions, with a wild 5-3 defeat at Hansa Rostock followed by an impressive 3-2 away win over TSV Havelse yesterday, whilst Viktoria's form has been mixed with 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats from their last 5.
- Viktoria's 5-2 home defeat to Jahn Regensburg was a real body blow.
