Real Madrid v VfB Stuttgart

Real Madrid vs Stuttgart Preview

Real Madrid will bring a six-match unbeaten sequence into this opening home game of their Champions League campaign which includes an opening promising five-game unbeaten run in La Liga, while Stuttgart will renew their acquaintances with the Champions League after a 14-year absence this season, thanks to claiming the runners-up spot in the Bundesliga last term.

A UEFA Super Cup 2-0 win against the Europa League winners Atalanta gave Real Madrid a solid platform from which to operate and the Spanish hosts have not disappointed as they have embarked upon a five-game unbeaten start to their new La Liga season which consists of three wins and two draws; wins against Real Valladolid, Real Betis and Real Sociedad will give Carlo Ancelotti's side a decent chance of picking up all three points on Tuesday night.

Real Madrid won last season's domestic La Liga title at a canter, finishing some 10 points above their closest rivals, Barcelona, while the bigger picture shows the hosts have lost just twice in their last 35 games in all competitions, both of which were in friendlies!

The defending Champions League holders will therefore fancy their chances of starting their new campaign in winning style.

Stuttgart produced an excellent Bundesliga campaign last season as the German visitors finished runners-up behind the winners, Bayer Leverkusen, as a new era was seemingly ushered in last term with the usual suspects, Bayern Munich, having to make do with a third place finish.

Despite losing their opening two games of this new season which came in the form of a loss on penalties to Bayer Leverkusen in the German Super Cup along with a 3-1 loss on the road at Freiburg, Stuttgart have produced emphatic wins against Preussen Munster 5-0 in the DFB Pokal along with a comprehensive 3-1 win away at Borussia M'gladbach in the Bundesliga.

However, it's been a gap of 14 years since Stuttgart last appeared amongst the European elite club stage and having previously managed just four wins in their previous 19 ties overall at this level, the visitors may well flounder in this opening game.

Real Madrid v Stuttgart Verdict

Having claimed domestic and European honours last season, Real Madrid look too strong for Stuttgart in this one.

Therefore, our main bet will be Real Madrid win & Over 2 goals @ 1.57

Other side bets worth considering:

Real Madrid win & Over 3.5 goals @ 2.30

Correct Score: Real Madrid 3-1 @ 10.00