The league phase of the UEFA Champions League continues on Wednesday and there is an intriguing clash at Arena Stuttgart, as VfB Stuttgart host Viking FK.
VfB Stuttgart reached the last-16 stage of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League, bowing out 4-1 on aggregate FC Porto, but they are back in Europe's top competition after finishing fourth in the Bundesliga.
Viking FK are appearing in the main draw of a European event for the first time since 2005, when they failed to get out of the group stage of what was then called the UEFA Cup.
VfB Stuttgart v Viking FK Tips Summary
Best Bet - Viking FK or Draw - Double Chance @ 3/1
Alternative Bet - Zlatko Tripic to score or assist @ 13/8
Bet Builder - Both teams to score, Joe Bell to be booked & Julian Chabot 1+ shots on target @ 15/1
VfB Stuttgart v Viking FK Prediction
Best Bet: Viking FK or Draw - Double Chance @ 3/1
It has been a mixed start to the season for Stuttgart, who have recorded a 4-0 German Cup win over Rostock and a 4-1 victory against Cologne either side of a 4-0 loss to FC Bayern München.
While there have been no issues in attack, Stuttgart have looked fragile at the back and they are expected to be without centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou for this UEFA Champions League opener.
Stuttgart are unbeaten at home in their last five matches, scoring 12 times during this period, but they have lost their last two European fixtures at Arena Stuttgart, going down to Celtic 1-0 and FC Porto 2-1.
Although the Bundesliga outfit are firm favourites to pick up the win, this contest against Viking may not be as easier as expected and the visitors look capable of coming away with at least a point.
Viking are on a five-game unbeaten run which started with a 5-3 aggregate win over Dinamo Zagreb in the play-off round, as they drew 2-2 on their travels before winning 3-1 at home.
Viking also won 5-3 at Koper and drew 1-1 at Istanbul Basaksehir in Conference League qualifying last season, evidence of how comfortable they are on the road.
This is a tough opener for Viking, but they are playing with confidence and they may be able to pull off a surprise in Germany.
Alternative Bet: Zlatko Tripic to score or assist @ 13/8
Norwegian winger Zlatko Tripic has been one of Viking's key attacking assets and he heads into this contest with five goals and three assists in his last nine appearances.
The 33-year-old netted in both legs of the play-off round win over Dinamo Zagreb and he has had at least one goal involvement in eight of his last nine outings.
If Viking are going to get a positive result from this contest, then how Tripic performs will be crucial. He has stepped up for his team on several occasions and he can do so again.
VfB Stuttgart v Viking FK Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score
Joe Bell to be booked
Julian Chabot 1+ shots on target
Pays 15/1
Both teams to score has been a winning bet in Stuttgart's last two matches and in 10 of Viking's last 11 assignments.
Viking midfielder Joe Bell has been booked in two of his last four games and committed a total of seven fouls across those fixtures.
The New Zealand international will be key in trying to nullify Stuttgart's attacks and he may find it difficult to stay out of the book.
Julian Chabot has managed at least one shot on target in all three matches for Stuttgart this season, amassing four in total, and he can force the goalkeeper into a stop again.
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Key Match Stats
Stuttgart are unbeaten in their last five matches at Arena Stuttgart
Both teams to score has landed in Stuttgart's last four home games
Viking are on a run of five matches without defeat (W3 D2)
Viking have avoided defeat in six of their last seven away assignments
Zlatko Tripic has scored or assisted in eight of his last nine appearances for Viking
Stuttgart have lost their last two home games in Europe
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
