Match Preview

The revamped UEFA Europa League 2025/26 – League Phase reaches its decisive Matchday 8 as VfB Stuttgart welcome BSC Young Boys to the MHPArena in Stuttgart. Under the single 36-team table format, every result feeds directly into the overall standings, and both sides still have something important at stake.

Stuttgart have adapted impressively to their Europa League return. After five league-phase games, the German side hold a record of 3 wins, 0 draws and 2 defeats, with 8 goals scored and 4 conceded, giving them a goal difference of +4 and 9 points. That performance places Stuttgart around 12th in the table, firmly inside the knockout play-off positions and not far off the race for a top-eight finish.

Young Boys arrive in Germany with a more volatile league-phase journey behind them. They sit on 6 points from 2 wins and 3 defeats, scoring 7 goals but conceding 12, for a negative goal difference of −5. Those numbers leave the Swiss champions around 26th place, hovering just above the elimination zone but outside the more comfortable positions in the upper half of the table.

This fixture also has an unusual backdrop: following crowd trouble during Young Boys’ game away to Aston Villa in November, UEFA has banned their supporters from attending their final league-phase match. That means the away section in Stuttgart will be empty, creating an even more one-sided atmosphere in favour of the home team.

On the pitch, Stuttgart’s high-tempo, front-foot style under Sebastian Hoeneß goes up against a Young Boys side trying to stabilise after some heavy defeats. With Stuttgart eyeing a strong seeding for the knockouts and Young Boys still fighting to stay in the competition, the MHPArena should witness a tense and competitive 90 minutes.

TV Broadcast and Livestreams

The VfB Stuttgart vs Young Boys clash is part of the main Europa League matchday window and will be shown live by official broadcast partners across Europe and worldwide. Depending on the region, coverage is expected on channels such as TNT Sports, DAZN, ESPN / ESPN+, Paramount+ and beIN Sports, alongside local rights holders.

Supporters should always check local TV listings and official competition information to confirm the exact channel or streaming platform showing the match in their country.

Match Information

Form Guide and League-Phase Records

Stuttgart: The German side have built their league-phase campaign on strong home performances. A big 4–0 win over Go Ahead Eagles and a late 2–0 victory against Feyenoord have underlined the MHPArena’s status as a difficult place for visitors. In domestic action, Stuttgart also boast an excellent home record in the Bundesliga, with a perfect run of victories in front of their own fans.

Young Boys: The Swiss champions have mixed standout results with tougher evenings. They have collected six points from five games, but their negative goal difference reflects heavy defeats, including a 5–1 loss to Stuttgart in the Champions League last season and a recent 2–1 defeat at Aston Villa in a match marred by crowd trouble. When they click, Young Boys can score freely, but keeping things tight at the back has been a recurring challenge in this league phase.

*Positions and records based on the latest Europa League league-phase standings prior to Matchday 8.

Head-to-Head History

Stuttgart and Young Boys are already familiar with each other from recent European campaigns. In their last three official UEFA meetings, Stuttgart have recorded 2 wins and Young Boys 1 win, with no draws and a combined scoreline of 10–5 in favour of Stuttgart.

• 11 Dec 2024 – Champions League: Stuttgart 5–1 Young Boys (MHPArena)
• 1 Dec 2010 – Europa League: Young Boys 4–2 Stuttgart (Wankdorf)
• 16 Sep 2010 – Europa League: Stuttgart 3–0 Young Boys (then Mercedes-Benz Arena)

Those results show a high-scoring head-to-head pattern, with Stuttgart particularly dominant at home. Young Boys have shown they can hurt Stuttgart – especially in Bern – but the historical balance tilts towards the German side when the match is played in Stuttgart.

Tactical Outlook

VfB Stuttgart: high tempo and attacking variety

Stuttgart under Sebastian Hoeneß blend an energetic pressing game with fluid attacking patterns. Key tactical themes likely to appear at the MHPArena include:

• Front-foot pressing: Stuttgart often look to squeeze opponents high up the pitch, using coordinated pressure from their forwards and midfielders to force turnovers near the opposition box.
• Dynamic attacking midfield: Players like Bilal El Khannouss drift between the lines, linking midfield and attack and providing late runs into the area.
• Wide overloads: Full-backs and wingers combine to stretch the play, opening half-spaces for cut-backs and low crosses aimed at forwards such as Deniz Undav.
• Structured build-up: Stuttgart are comfortable circulating the ball from the back, inviting pressure before exploiting gaps behind Young Boys’ first pressing line.

If Stuttgart can maintain their usual home intensity and avoid cheap turnovers, they will expect to create a steady stream of chances, particularly against a defence that has already conceded 12 goals in five Europa League matches.

Young Boys: transitions and damage limitation

Young Boys will be aware of Stuttgart’s strength at home and the momentum behind the German side. Their likely approach in this game will emphasise:

• Compact defensive block: Keeping the lines close together to deny Stuttgart space between midfield and defence, especially in the central zones where El Khannouss and Undav operate.
• Quick counter-attacks: Breaking at speed through forwards such as Joel Monteiro when Stuttgart commit numbers forward.
• Exploiting set-pieces: Using corners and free-kicks as an opportunity to threaten Stuttgart, even if they spend long spells without the ball.
• Mental resilience: With no away fans in the stadium due to sanctions, Young Boys will have to generate their own energy and focus in what will feel like a heavily home-biased atmosphere.

For the Swiss champions to take something from Stuttgart, they will likely need a near-perfect defensive performance and ruthlessness in the few clear chances that come their way.

Standings Context – League-Phase Table

*Based on the Europa League league-phase format: teams ranked 1–8 go directly to the Round of 16, positions 9–24 enter the knockout play-offs, and 25–36 are eliminated.

Match Outlook and Prediction

Predicted Final Score: VfB Stuttgart 3–1 Young Boys

Taking into account current standings, recent form and the head-to-head record, Stuttgart head into this match as clear favourites. They have been strong at home in both domestic and European competitions, concede few goals, and possess several in-form attacking players.

Young Boys retain enough quality to cause problems – especially in transition – and their scoring record in Europe suggests they can find the net even against solid opposition. However, their defensive numbers and away record raise questions about whether they can hold out for 90 minutes against a confident Stuttgart side.

The most realistic outlook is a game where Stuttgart control large parts of the play, create multiple clear chances and eventually wear down Young Boys’ resistance, while the visitors threaten sporadically on the counter. A predicted scoreline of VfB Stuttgart 3–1 Young Boys reflects Stuttgart’s superior form and home strength, while acknowledging that Young Boys have enough attacking threat to at least test the home defence.

Important: This prediction is purely a football opinion. It is not advice or encouragement to place bets. Any form of gambling is strictly for adults, must follow local laws and should always be approached carefully and responsibly.