Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim were soundly beaten in a 3-0 loss to RB Leipzig last weekend at the Red Bull Arena after goals from Christopher Nkunku (5'), Halstenberg (20'), and Szoboszlai (44') all hit the back of the net. The loss left Hoffenheim with three defeats in a row (WDLLL), and in 6th place, having picked up 44 points from 13W, 5D, & 11L. Sunday’s clash against Fürth remains significant in club history for Hoffenheim, who played their first match in German professional football against the Cloverleaves on August 30, 2002. Hoffenheim are now looking to bag a Bundesliga double over Furth, having won the reverse fixture, 6-3, in another historical milestone for TSG, who scored six goals in a BL away match for the first time. A haul of 12 goals in the three BL meetings with Fürth, - an average of four goals per game, leaves Sebastian Hoeneß mulling over a few goals in the back of the net ahead of the weekend’s clash. His side has a goal ratio of 1.72 GPG this season, having scored 50 goals in 29 Bundesliga games. In addition, the club has conceded 45 goals and has a goal difference of +5. An average of 1.55 goals conceded per game. A 3—4—1—2 formation with Bebou and Dabbur in attack, is expected from Sebastian Hoeneß for this clash against Greuther Fürth. Bicakcic (knee), Grillitsch (muscular), and John (shoulder) are all ruled out, while Geiger, Hübner (back injury), and Rudy remain doubtful.

Meanwhile, Die Kraichgauer failed to earn a point against VfL Bochum at the PreZero Arena following a 2-1 defeat last weekend. Hoffenheim remains in 6th place on the Bundesliga table, having picked up 44 points from 13W, 5D, & 10L, and will be returning with back-to-back defeats, WWDLL. A look at the numbers leaves onlookers with 50 goals after 28 Bundesliga games, a goal ratio of 1.79 goals scored per game. In addition, Die Kraichgauer have conceded 42 goals [an average of 1.5 goals per match] so far this season and have a G.D. of +8. A win here could put Hoffenheim in fifth place, ahead of SC Freiburg [45 points], who play Frankfurt on Sunday if the Eagles fail to win. Sebastian Hoeneß could start with the 3—4—1—2 formation, having the Togolese striker Ihlas Bebou and Kramaric in attack for this weekend’s game against RB Leipzig. On availability, Akpoguma is suspended alongside Vogt, while the likes of Bicakcic (knee), Grillitsch (muscular), and John (shoulder injury) have been added to the list of possible absentees. Hübner (back injury), Raum (suspended), and Rudy will also be unavailable against RB Leipzig.

Last time out on Bundesliga Matchday 27, Hoffenheim were picked to pieces in a 3-0 loss to Hertha Berlin at the Olympiastadion. Goals from Niklas Stark (39'), Ishak Belfodil (63') and Lucas Tousart (74’) sent Hoffenheim reeling to the curb. However, Hoffenheim managed to keep sixth place following what was their first defeat in five Bundesliga games, WWWDL. Having already secured 44 points from 13W, 5D, and 9L, Hoffenheim are looking to add three more points to the tally in a bid to make an ambitious leap for a spot in the top-four. Fifth-placed Freiburg [45 points] have a difficult fixture against Bayern Munich, while fourth-placed Leipzig [45 points] will have their hands full with Dortmund later on Saturday. TSG Hoffenheim remains unbeaten in their last 12 home Bundesliga games against recently promoted sides [8W, 4D, & 0L] such as Bochum, and are looking to keep their impressive record spotless at the end of the weekend. Die Kraichgauer have hit the goal’s framework 17 times this season - a record high in the competition - and Sebastian Hoeneß is looking to avoid being denied by the woodwork once again on Saturday. The last time his side lost to a newly-promoted club was in February 2016 [2-0 vs. Darmstadt 98]. The 39-year-old could line up the 3—4—1—2 formation with the attacking duo of Bebou and Kramaric shouldering the goal-scoring responsibilities. Meanwhile, Bicakcic (knee injury) and Stefan Posch (COVID-19) are both ruled out for the weekend's game.

Hoffenheim bagged all three points following the 1-0 win over FC Köln at the RheinEnergieStadion last weekend. A single goal from Stefan Posch (62') saw Hoffenheim pick up four victories in a row, LWWWW, at the end of Bundesliga Matchday 25. The club sits in 4th place, having picked up 43 points after 13W, 4D, and 8L. Having won four games in a row, Hoffenheim are looking to pick up five consecutive victories for the first time since they last did so between June and September 2020. Hoffenheim, with recent victories against the Reds over a five-year period, have the best success record behind Borussia Monchengladbach and are hoping to be a thorn in the flesh for the Bavarians when both sides clash on Saturday. Die Kraichgauer have a goal ratio of 1.92 GPG this season, having scored 48 goals in 25 Bundesliga games. They have conceded 36 goals [1.44 GCPG] and are left with a G.D. of +12. Should FC Köln pick up a win over Die Werkself on Sunday, an unlikely victory for Hoffenheim over Bayern would see them leapfrog third-placed Bayer Leverkusen [45 points]. A 3—4—1—2 formation with Bebou and Kramaric is expected from Sebastian Hoeneß on Saturday for this fixture against Bayern Munich.

Hoffenheim sits two spots above the Billy Goats in 5th place, separated by four points while having 40 points from 12W, 4D, & 8L. They return to Bundesliga action with three victories in a row: LLWWW, seeking four at the end of this fixture against FC Köln. A remarkable run of more than ten games without a defeat against the Billy Goats leaves Hoffenheim with their best unbeaten run against top-level opposition in their Bundesliga history. Die Kraichgauer have scored 47 goals in 24 Bundesliga games and have a goal ratio of 1.96 goals per game. However, Hoffenheim have conceded 36 goals so far this season and have a goal difference of +11, - an average of 1.5 goals per match. Sebastian Hoeneß could have the dynamic 3—5—2 formation with Bebou and Rutter in attack on display for this fixture against FC Köln. On availability, Bicakcic (knee), and Nordtveit (thigh) are ruled out while Rudy (hamstring) and Skov (thigh) remain unavailable.

Meanwhile, Hoffenheim picked up a 2-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld on Bundesliga Matchday 22. A goal from Benjamin Hübner (22') and another from Rutter (51’) saw Hoffenheim cruise past Bielefeld with the comfortable win at the PreZero Arena. Hoffenheim is in 5th place with 34 points from 10W, 4D, & 8L, having returned to winning ways after three straight defeats, WLLLW. The club has 43 goals after 22 Bundesliga games, - an average of 1.95 goals per game. In addition, Die Kraichgauer have conceded 34 goals [1.55 goals per match] so far this season and have a G.D. of +9. Following the win over Die Arminen last weekend, TSG Hoffenheim could celebrate back-to-back Bundesliga victories for the first time in this calendar year. On Saturday, Sebastian Hoeneß and Die Kraichgauer could appear with the 3—5—2 formation against Wolfsburg, with Mu'nas Dabbur and Kramaric in attack. On availability, Geiger and Grillitsch are suspended, while Bicakcic (knee), Richards (foot), and Skov (thigh) are all ruled out of the weekend’s fixture. Meanwhile, Stiller (ill) remains in doubt for this clash against Wolfsburg.

Hoffenheim will be returning after Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat to Freiburg in a DFB-Pokal round-of-16 clash at the Rhein-Neckar Arena. Back in the German Bundesliga, the club picked up a 2-1 defeat to FC Union Berlin on Bundesliga Matchday 19. An own goal from Timo Baumgartl [16' O.G.] saw Hoffenheim take the lead inside the first twenty minutes. However, a fine header from Voglsammer (22') crashed off the cross-bar before leaving Union back on level terms. Minutes later, an effort off the cross-bar was followed up by a low diving header from Grischa Promel (73'), leaving Union Berlin in the lead until the final whistle at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. It was the first defeat for Hoffenheim in five Bundesliga games: WDDWL, and it saw the club move one spot down, from 3rd to 4th place, having picked up 31 points after 9W, 4D, & 6L. In a tightly packed top-half section of the upper table, Hoffenheim needs a win over the Black & Yellows to stay in the top-four at the end of Bundesliga Matchday 20. Last weekend, in Berlin, Sebastian Hoeneß deployed the 3—4—1—2 formation with Mu'nas Dabbur and Ihlas Bebou in attack. Onlookers could be greeted with the same formation and personnel in attack for Saturday’s game against Dortmund.

Hoffenheim picked up a point in the 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday at BayArena with a restricted number of fans, 13,000 of them in attendance. A well-executed counter-attack from Bayer Leverkusen saw Patrik Schick (37') tuck the ball away with a fabulous left-footed half-volley. After the break, the 25-year-old Schick (63’) returned for the brace with a thumping header, leaving Hoffenheim with a double to deal with. A remarkable effort from a narrow-angle saw Angelo Stiller (80') squeeze the ball into the back of the net to restore Hoffenheim back into the game with ten minutes left on the clock. Three minutes later, a reverse flick-on from Mu'nas Dabbur (83') saw Hoffenheim restore parity at BayArena until the final moment. The draw leaves Hoffenheim unbeaten in five Bundesliga games: WWWWD, while holding on to 4th place, having picked up 27 points from 8W, 3D, & 5L. Hoffenheim have a goal ratio of 2.12 g.p.g. this season and are hoping it will count when they face Gladbach on Saturday. Die Kraichgauer have scored 34 goals in 16 Bundesliga games. In addition, the club has conceded 25 goals (1.56 goals conceded per game) and has a G.D. of +9. A 3—4—3 formation, with Mu'nas Dabbur at the focal point of attack, is expected from Sebastian Hoeneß against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.

Hoffenheim bagged all three points after picking up a 2-1 win over SC Freiburg at the Europa-Park Stadion on Saturday. Hoffenheim's David Raum (3') put his side in the lead in the opening five minutes before Nico Schlotterbeck (21') restored parity mid-way through the first half. However, a last-gasp effort from Chris Richards (90'+4) saw Hoffenheim seal the victory. The win saw the club move one spot ahead on the Bundesliga table, from 5th to 4th place, having picked up 26 points from 8W, 2D, and 5L. Hoffenheim have four straight victories in five Bundesliga games, LWWWW, ahead of this fixture against Bayer Leverkusen. A look at the numbers leaves the club with 32 goals (2.13 goals scored per game) after 15 Bundesliga games. Die Kraichgauer have conceded 23 goals (an average of 1.53 goals per match) so far this season, and have a G.D. of +9. Sebastian Hoeneß may opt for three at the back once more, this time in the 3—4—3 formation against Bayer Leverkusen, with Mu'nas Dabbur at the center of the attacking trio. A long list of injuries could see Hoffenheim without as many as six players.

Hoffenheim picked up a 2-0 defeat to VfL Bochum before the international break on Matchday 11. Goals from Bochum’s Soma Novothny (66') and Milos Pantovic (90'+7) at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion saw Hoffenheim crumble to their third defeat in five Bundesliga games: LWLWL. The defeat saw the club drop one spot from 9th to 10th place on the table, while being left with 14 points after 4W, 2D, & 5L. Mid-table with an average goal ratio of 1.73 gpg, Sebastian Hoeneß’s side could do with a win. However, picking up a victory against Leipzig would be a tall order considering the opposition has not lost in five games. In total, Hoffenheim have hit the back of the net 19 times this season after eleven Bundesliga games. With narrow margins at the back, the club has conceded an average of 1.55 goals per 90 minutes, leaving Hoffenheim with a total of 17 goals conceded and a G.D. of +2. Three at the back, fashioned into the 3—4—1—2 formation, is expected against the Red Bulls with Bebou and Kramaric in attack. A look at the injury list leaves Bicakcic (knee), John (shoulder), and Kaderabek (ankle) out of this fixture, alongside Robert Skov (thigh). Hübner is struggling with match fitness, while Geiger remains doubtful with a foot injury.