2026-2027 Champions League: Stuttgart vs. Viking, Probable Lineups

Stuttgart vs. Viking is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. and is part of the first matchday of the Champions League group stage. This marks the Germans’ sixth appearance in Europe’s top club competition; they’ve gotten off to a strong start in the Bundesliga with two wins in their first two games. The Norwegian champions are back in the Champions League for the first time since 1992: at home, they are battling for first place with Bodo/Glimt, having recorded 14 wins in their first 19 league games.

Stuttgart will feature Pejcinovic up front, with Fuhrich, Undav, and El Khannouss behind him in the attacking midfield. Stiller and Promel will partner in the middle of the field, with Vagnoman and Mittelstadt on the wings. Leweling is expected to start on the bench.

Unusually, there are two coaches on the Viking bench: Morten Jensen and Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim. Up front is the trio of Bjordal, Christiansen, and Tripic. In midfield, Askildsen sets the pace with Bell and Moi on either side of him.

Stuttgart vs. Viking: Probable Lineups
Stuttgart (4-2-3-1): Bredlow; Vagnoman, Jelitsch, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Stiller, Promel; Fuhrich, Undav, El Khannouss; Pejcinovic. Head Coach: Hoeness.
Viking FK (4-3-3): Ostbo; Heggheim, Stensness, Daland, Auklend; Bell, Askildsen, Moi; Bjordal, Christiansen, Tripic. Head Coaches: Aarsheim and Jensen.

Hoeness, who is dealing with several absences, defended Undav against recent criticism: “Deniz Undav is one of the main reasons we’re playing in the Champions League. He’s our captain and someone who understands and reads the game incredibly well. He’s always invaluable to us. His performance wasn’t as disastrous as some articles suggest.”