As the winter break gives way to new ambitions, Stuttgart welcome Luzern to the Mercedes-Benz Arena for a January International Club Friendly. Deriving significance from more than just match fitness, this fixture offers a chance for Sebastian Hoeneß’s revitalized squad to showcase their growing synergy against a Luzern team managed by Mario Frick still searching for answers. With both sides eager to test tactical frameworks before competitive action resumes, all eyes will focus on squad rotations, young talent, and those hoping to catch the coaches’ attention for the upcoming season.
Key players to watch include Stuttgart’s mercurial forward Deniz Undav, whose ability to carve open defenses could prove decisive, and Luzern’s prolific attacker Lars Villiger, fresh off a remarkable recent scoring streak. Both sides will be hoping their attacking leaders can replicate recent form and set the tone. As a “hot stat,” consider that Stuttgart have found the net eight times in their last five matches, the second-highest tally among German sides in similar friendlies this winter—a sign their offensive machinery is humming.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Club Friendly 2026, January Phase |
| 🏟 Venue: | Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart |
| 🗓️ Date: | 05.01.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 15:00 CEST |
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Stuttgart vs Luzern prediction
Given the disparity in recent form, world club rankings, and home advantage, Stuttgart emerge as clear favourites. Their recent run—dispatching Maccabi Tel Aviv and Werder Bremen with powerful multi-goal victories—underscores improved depth, pressing intensity, and clinical finishing. In contrast, Luzern arrive on the back of a turbulent spell with only one win in their past four, coupled with a leaky defence that’s shipped seven goals in that same span. The best value prediction here lies with Stuttgart to win comfortably, potentially even by a multi-goal margin.
Notably, Stuttgart’s style has leaned on high ball possession (averaging almost 400 completed passes per match, 84% accuracy), calculated build-up, and rapid transitions. Unsurprisingly, their increasing corner count—23 over their last five—parallels frequent wing play and interchanging movement from their advanced fullbacks. Luzern, meanwhile, average a more modest pass count and accuracy, indicating more direct transitions but also a greater susceptibility to turnovers. Both sides have had their discipline tested (Stuttgart: 7 yellow cards, Luzern: 9 across five games), but Luzern’s tendency to commit fouls under pressure (43 vs Stuttgart’s 41) could mean more free kick opportunities for the hosts—an avenue they’ve recently exploited.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Stuttgart -1.5 Asian Handicap |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Stuttgart: Their last outing saw a resolute defensive display against Hoffenheim, ending 0-0. Despite the stalemate, Stuttgart dominated possession and created double-digit shooting opportunities—highlighting a control-based approach even when goals don’t flow. In previous matches, wins over Maccabi Tel Aviv (4-1) and Werder Bremen (4-0) demonstrated a lethal blend of movement, pressing, and fluid attacking patterns. Newcomer Deniz Undav has been instrumental, tallying a goal and five shots in this stretch, while wingbacks like Maximilian Mittelstädt have provided crucial width and crosses.
Luzern: Luzern come into this tie after a morale-boosting 4-0 victory against lowly Lausanne, ending a three-game winless run. Lars Villiger led the line with a well-taken brace, but it’s worth noting the team struggled defensively in the games prior—conceding four to Thun and two to Young Boys. Their backline, led by Ruben Dantas Fernandes, has been stretched, with pass accuracy dipping below 80%. Still, their attacking play remains adaptive; Kevin Spadanuda continues to threaten from wide positions, and Matteo Di Giusto chips in with creative midfield impulses.
Most recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Stuttgart | Luzern |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Total shots | 16 | 8 |
| Free kicks | 11 | 9 |
| Corner kicks | 7 | 4 |
| Total fouls | 13 | 12 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 83 | 74 |
| Interceptions | 11 | 13 |
| Offsides | 3 | 1 |
🚨Read our full Stuttgart vs Luzern stats for more analysis.

Luzern. Source: Official Website
Pre-game odds and win probability: Stuttgart the favourite
- Moneyline Stuttgart 1.44 | Luzern 6.00
- Draw 4.20
- Over/Under Over 2.5 1.67 | Under 2.5 2.20
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 1.75 | No 2.00
Stuttgart’s odds reflect their current form and substantial quality edge in both personnel and system. With bookmakers giving them a 63% implied probability, and Luzern lingering at just 15%, this is as clear a tilt as these fixtures allow. The over/under line at 2.5 goals nods to Stuttgart’s attacking consistency and Luzern’s occasional potency—expect goals, with both teams likely to feature on the scoresheet. The balanced odds on BTTS mirror that sense: Luzern may have defensive frailties, but in friendlies, both sides tend to rotate and experiment, usually leading to open play.
You can find all our predictions for today’s games on our football betting tips page.
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Possible Starting Lineups
Stuttgart possible starting eleven
- GK: Alexander Nübel
- DF: Maximilian Mittelstädt, Ramon Hendriks, Jeffrey Chabot, Josha Vagnoman
- MF: Atakan Karazor, Angelo Stiller, Bilal El Khannouss
- FW: Deniz Undav, Chris Führich, Jamie Leweling
This projected 4-2-3-1 balances experience and recent form. Nübel remains the clear pick in goal, while the quartet of Mittelstädt, Hendriks, Chabot, and Vagnoman offer both stability and thrust from deep. Karazor and Stiller provide dual pivots, freeing El Khannouss to orchestrate play. Up front, expect Undav to spearhead the attack, flanked by Führich and the dynamic Leweling, all of whom have shown goal involvement lately. The 4-2-3-1 gives Stuttgart the midfield security and width that has typified their recent winning formula. Watch for Undav’s movement and Mittelstädt’s raiding runs as keys to unlocking Luzern.
Luzern possible starting eleven

- GK: Pascal David Loretz
- DF: Severin Ottiger, Ruben Dantas Fernandes, Bung Meng Freimann, Adrian Bajrami
- MF: Taisei Abe, Matteo Di Giusto, Tyron Owusu, Kevin Spadanuda
- FW: Lars Villiger, Julian Vonmoos
Luzern typically shape up in a narrow 4-1-2-1-2, with Loretz the reliable figure in goal. The defensive line combines youth and experience, with Ottiger and Bajrami operating as fullbacks. Abe anchors midfield, while Di Giusto and Owusu offer legs and technical skill, supplemented by Spadanuda’s width when required. Up top, Villiger—recently Luzern’s most consistent goal threat—partners Vonmoos in search of early breakthroughs. Though central, this setup could force Luzern to defend deep and absorb Stuttgart’s width, hoping to strike on the counter.
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Stuttgart. Source: Official Website
My take on the Match
The gulf in form, squad quality, and tactical coherence points squarely towards a Stuttgart win. My main pick for this match is Stuttgart -1.5 Asian Handicap. Their attacking verve lately, driven by Undav and the creative brilliance of El Khannouss, should prove too much for a Luzern defence that has looked vulnerable, particularly on the flanks. Luzern still possess enough attacking spark—especially from Villiger and Spadanuda—to trouble Stuttgart’s backline, but over 90 minutes, the hosts’ control and depth in midfield should prove decisive. Expect an open game with goals at both ends but a clear edge for the Bundesliga side.
