VfB Stuttgart welcome Viking to the MHPArena on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 16:45 local time. The Champions League fixture will be the first competitive meeting between the clubs and presents both teams with an opportunity to improve their opening-match records in the competition. Stuttgart are beginning their fifth Champions League campaign, while Viking are entering the league phase for the first time after progressing through qualifying. Both sides arrive with encouraging attacking numbers, making goals one of the main themes of this VfB Stuttgart vs Viking preview.

VfB Stuttgart Recent Form and Key Statistics

VfB Stuttgart qualified through a top-four Bundesliga finish and are making their second Champions League league-phase appearance in three seasons. Their previous campaign at this level came in 2024/25, when they finished 26th with a record of three wins, one draw and four defeats. They have never won their opening game across four previous appearances in the competition, recording one draw and three losses.

Recent European results nevertheless offer the hosts encouragement. Stuttgart have won four of their last five league-phase fixtures across European competitions. They also won every home game during last season's Europa League campaign and enter this contest on a sequence of four consecutive European home victories. Across all competitions, they have been successful in 12 of their last 20 home matches.

Their latest result was an emphatic 4-1 victory over FC Köln on September 4. It was the second occasion in three games on which Stuttgart scored four goals. Their five-match record stands at three wins and two defeats, with averages of 2.4 goals scored and 1.6 conceded per game. They have scored nine times in three matches this season while keeping only one clean sheet.

• Stuttgart's last 14 matches have all produced more than 1.5 total goals.
• At least one second-half goal has been scored in each of their last 15 matches.
• They have won four of their last five European league-phase games.
• The hosts are ranked 32nd in the Champions League going into the fixture.

Deniz Undav is a prominent attacking figure for Stuttgart. He registered nine Europa League goal contributions last season, including three goals, and recorded 39 goals and assists across all competitions in 2025/26. However, Stuttgart approach this match with at least nine players listed as injured, which could complicate their preparations for Viking's visit.

Viking Recent Form and Key Statistics

Viking earned their place after winning the Norwegian league title for the first time since 1991. Their last Champions League appearance was in 1992/93, but this is their first campaign in the competition's league-phase format. They came through the qualifying route and recorded a 3-1 home victory against Dinamo Zagreb during that journey.

The visitors are unbeaten in their last five matches, collecting three wins and two draws. Their most recent outing ended in a 1-1 draw with Sandefjord on September 4, bringing a three-game winning streak to an end. Across those five games, Viking have averaged 2.2 goals scored and 1.2 conceded. Their Champions League season record is one win and one draw, with averages of 2.5 goals scored and 1.5 allowed.

Viking's scoring consistency is particularly notable. They have found the net in 39 of their last 40 matches and in 22 of their previous 23 away fixtures. Their last 11 games have all contained at least two total goals, while first-half goals have also been a frequent feature of their matches.

• At least one first-half goal was scored in 24 of Viking's last 25 matches.
• The same outcome occurred in 21 of their last 23 away games.
• More than 7.5 corners were recorded in 28 of their previous 29 fixtures.
• Viking have led at half-time in 16 of their last 25 matches.
• The visitors are ranked 35th in the Champions League.

Zlatko Tripic represents a major source of danger for the Norwegian side. He scored in both legs of Viking's Champions League qualifier and has contributed five goals and three assists across his last nine appearances. Although he has not scored in the last two games, his total involvement across all competitions this season stands at 22 goals.

VfB Stuttgart vs Viking Match Analysis

The available statistics point towards an open Champions League contest. Stuttgart have displayed considerable attacking strength, scoring four goals twice in three matches and averaging 2.4 per game across their latest five outings. At the other end, an average of 1.6 goals conceded and only one clean sheet in three matches suggest that the hosts have also offered opponents opportunities.

Viking appear capable of testing that defensive record. Their run of scoring in 39 of 40 matches is supported by an excellent away sequence, with at least one Viking goal in 22 of their last 23 games on the road. Their five-match unbeaten run and 2.2-goal scoring average further indicate that they arrive with enough attacking momentum to contribute to the contest.

Stuttgart still carry the stronger win probability at 45%, compared with 23% for a draw and 32% for a Viking victory. Their run of four straight European home wins and their 4-1 success against FC Köln strengthen the case for the hosts. Even so, Viking's reliability in front of goal means that home advantage does not automatically imply a comfortable evening.

The historical opposition records add another layer to the matchup. Stuttgart lost both of their previous meetings with Norwegian opponents, while Viking have suffered six defeats in 11 matches against German teams. Those results do not include a direct encounter between these clubs, and this first meeting will instead be shaped by their current attacking output, Stuttgart's productive home form in Europe and Viking's persistent scoring record away from home.

VfB Stuttgart vs Viking prediction from BetMines: Both Teams To Score (Yes) with 59% probability.