"Team of the hour" - VfB faces touchstone at RB Leipzig

Coach Sebastian Hoeneß does not want to see VfB Stuttgart's top match at RB Leipzig as the first real test of the Bundesliga season. "We also play in the Bundesliga against teams that have every right to play a very good role," said the 43-year-old soccer coach ahead of the Swabian third-placed team's visit to second-placed Leipzig on Saturday (3.30pm/Sky and DAZN). However, VfB have not yet played any of the top seven teams in the table this season.

Zagadou unlikely to feature

Hoeneß will probably have to do without defender Dan-Axel Zagadou, who has been plagued by serious injuries in the past, on Saturday due to muscular problems in his adductor area. Offensive player Tiago Tomas is doubtful due to thigh problems.

RB are in "very good form" and a "team of the moment", warned Hoeneß. "Regardless of the opponents we've faced so far, it's always exceptionally challenging in Leipzig," said the coach. After the major upheaval in the summer, RB had managed to "put together an outstanding team". The new Leipzig coach Ole Werner had "immediately conveyed a clear idea".

After the 6-0 defeat at Bayern at the start, Leipzig impressed in the league and have not been beaten since.

Cup winners head into groundbreaking weeks

Stuttgart's program is demanding in the coming Bundesliga weeks. Between now and December 6, the Europa League contenders will play three of their next five Bundesliga matches against the top teams: on November 22, the Swabians will host Dortmund, and on St. Nicholas' Day they will welcome FC Bayern. In between, they face Augsburg and Hamburger SV.

"The number of points you can get from the games is the same. That's why I don't see any more crucial games now than in recent weeks," said Hoeneß. "We are happy to compete with the teams. We haven't shied away from that in recent years either."

VfB have won their last four matches against Leipzig - three times in the Bundesliga and once in the DFB Cup. Another win would see the Swabians overtake RB in the table.