Real Madrid will aim to kick off their title defense with a strong start as they host VfB Stuttgart in their opening match of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League.
In their most recent La Liga outing, Los Blancos continued their unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad, thanks to penalties converted by Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
On the other hand, VfB Stuttgart secured their first Bundesliga win of the new season, beating Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 on the road in their last match.
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The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Real Madrid vs. VfB Stuttgart live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Champions League match in the U.S.:
TV channel: TUDN USA, UniMas
Live stream: Paramount+, Fubo, ViX, TUDN.com, Univision Now, TUDN App
This game is available on TUDN USA for live TV broadcast. Spanish-speaking viewers can catch the game on UniMas. Streaming options are available on Paramount+ and in Spanish on Fubo, TUDN.com, TUDN App, ViX, and Univision Now.
For a limited time, new subscribers can enjoy Paramount+ starting at $2.50 per month for 12 months! Billed annually. Stream the NFL on CBS, Champions League soccer and more. Redeem now!
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What time does Real Madrid vs. VfB Stuttgart kick off?
This Champions League clash takes place at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain and kicks off on Tuesday, September 17 at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Tue, Sep. 17 | 3:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Tue, Sep. 17 | 2:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Tue, Sep. 17 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Tue, Sep. 17 | 12:00 p.m. |
Real Madrid vs. VfB Stuttgart predicted lineups, team news
Brahim Diaz joined the likes of David Alaba, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Dani Ceballos on the sidelines after picking up a muscle injury that will see him miss up to eight weeks.
Jude Bellingham could return for this game after getting back to training last week, which will serve as a major boost for Madrid. Kylian Mbappe will make his Champions League debut for Real Madrid in this game, having already scored 48 goals in 73 appearances in the competition.
Real Madrid predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Carvajal, E. Militao, Rudiger, Mendy — Valverde, Modric — Rodrygo, Bellingham, V. Junior — Mbappe.
Injured: Alaba, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Ceballos, Diaz
Suspended: None
Ameen Al Dakhil is yet to make his debut for VfB Stuttgart after signing from Burnley this summer. Nikolas Nartey and Frans Kratzig are also likely to remain sidelined till October.
VfB Stuttgart will hope their in-form strikers Ermedin Demirovic and Denis Undav turn up against Real Madrid to get them anything out of the match.
VfB Stuttgart predicted XI (4-4-2, right to left): Nubel (GK) — Vagnoman, Chase, Chabot, Mittelstadt — Leweling, Karazor, Stiller, Rieder — Demirovic, Undav.
Injured: Al Dakhil, Stergiou, Nartey, Kratzig
Suspended: None
Real Madrid vs. VfB Stuttgart Prediction
This will be the first time Real Madrid and VfB Stuttgart face each other in a competitive game.
While VfB Stuttgart have shown they can compete with the best, Real Madrid are an altogether different monster in the Champions League. Despite their injury issues, Madrid should win this game comfortably.
- Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 VfB Stuttgart
Champions League fixture schedule this week
Tuesday, September 17
- BSC Young Boys vs. Aston Villa FC
- Juventus vs. PSV Eindhoven
- AC Milan vs. Liverpool FC
- FC Bayern München vs. GNK Dinamo
- Real Madrid C.F. vs. VfB Stuttgart
- Sporting Clube de Portugal vs. LOSC Lille
Wednesday, September 18
- AC Sparta Praha vs. FC Salzburg
- Bologna FC 1909 vs. FC Shakhtar Donetsk
- Celtic FC vs. SK Slovan Bratislava
- Club Brugge KV vs. Borussia Dortmund
- Manchester City vs. FC Internazionale Milano
- Paris Saint-Germain vs. Girona FC
Thursday, September 19
- Feyenoord vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen
- FK Crvena Zvezda vs. SL Benfica
- AS Monaco vs. FC Barcelona
- Atalanta BC vs. Arsenal FC
- Atlético de Madrid vs. RB Leipzig
- Stade Brestois 29 vs. SK Sturm Graz