Preview: Hoffenheim vs Wolfsburg – prediction, team news, lineups

Hoffenheim’s pursuit of Champions League soccer continues this Saturday afternoon after they welcome a relegation-threatened Wolfsburg facet to the PreZero Area.

Die Kraichgauer have endured a slight dip in type over current weeks, although they don’t have anything on the Wolves who misplaced six of their final seven within the Bundesliga – a run of type which has pressured the membership to make an enormous managerial determination.

Match preview

Hoffenheim have loved a unprecedented transformation from severe relegation contenders to Champions League hopefuls, all in an area of a 12 months.

Ending fifteenth final time period was deemed a hit for head coach Christian Ilzer, who steered the membership away from the drop zone and secured Bundesliga soccer for 2025-26.

The Austrian boss has shocked the competitors this season by constructing the second-best assault within the Bundesliga, which already boasts 53 targets – a quantity solely bettered by Bayern Munich’s ridiculous complete of 92.

Hoffenheim enter the weekend third within the standings, profitable only one match fewer than second-placed Borussia Dortmund this season.

A prime 4 end and Champions League qualification is now a practical ambition for Die Kraichgauer, although Ilzer and his males would require a robust finish to the marketing campaign.

Ending sturdy means overcoming their current hunch, which has seen them win two of their previous 5 matches – a run which incorporates a few defeats to Bayern Munich and St Pauli.

Hoffenheim returned to profitable methods final weekend with a 4-2 victory over Heidenheim, although conceding two targets in opposition to the competitors’s backside staff is considerably of a priority.

Wolfsburg have by no means been relegated from the Bundesliga, however that historic first might be simply across the nook because the membership continues to wrestle for outcomes.

The Wolves enter the weekend in seventeenth spot following an eight-match winless run, sitting 4 factors adrift of security.

Head coach Daniel Bauer was relieved of his duties following final weekend’s residence defeat to Hamburger SV, whereas former boss Dieter Hecking was named as his speedy successor.

Hecking led the membership to 2 trophies and Champions League soccer over a decade in the past, although maintaining Wolfsburg within the Bundesliga this season might surpass these achievements given the present scenario.

Volkswagen, who’re the only custodians of the membership, have not too long ago introduced plans to chop 50,000 jobs following a decline in enterprise, and CEO Oliver Blume has already hinted at potential modifications on the soccer membership.

Wolfsburg at the moment boast the fifth most costly squad within the Bundesliga, that means relegation to the second tier may have main implications on the extent of funding from the present homeowners.

Hecking has 9 video games to show issues round, although contemplating the membership have misplaced their final three matches and haven’t tasted victory since mid-January, the duty going through the returning head coach is gargantuan.

Hoffenheim Bundesliga type:

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Wolfsburg Bundesliga type:

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Staff Information

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Hoffenheim might be with out Valentin Gendrey this weekend, with the defender combating a knee harm and managing simply 5 minutes of soccer throughout his final three outings.

Adam Hlozek is on the highway to restoration from his calf harm, although the Czech ahead nonetheless lacks match health and is anticipated to overlook out.

Koki Machida, however, has a torn cruciate ligament and can stay on the sidelines for a while.

Leon Avdullahu, Wouter Burger and Robin Hranac are all on 4 yellow playing cards for the season, that means yet another reserving will earn them a suspension.

Wolfsburg have gotten some excellent news on the harm entrance, with Patrick Wimmer, Jonas Wind and Joakim Maehle returning to the squad.

Regardless of this, the membership are nonetheless contending with a prolonged harm listing which incorporates the likes of Claiton (ankle), Bence Dardai (knee) and Kilian Fischer (thigh).

Kevin Paredes managed 26 minutes in opposition to Augsburg on the finish of February, although the American quickly returned to the sidelines with a muscle downside.

Mattias Svanberg is a current addition to the harm listing, as is younger ahead Aaron Zehnter.

The defensive duo of Rogerio and Jenson Seelt full the large absentee listing for the guests.

Hoffenheim doable beginning lineup:

Baumann; Coufal, Kabak, Hajdari, Bernardo; Avdullahu, Kramaric, Burger; Prass, Asllani, Toure

Wolfsburg doable beginning lineup:

Grabara; Adjetey, Jenz, Koulierakis; Kumbedi, Eriksen, Vinicius Souza, Belocian; Lindstrom, Amoura; Pejcinovic

We are saying: Hoffenheim 3-1 Wolfsburg

Solely Bayern Munich have scored extra targets than Hoffenheim this season, that means the hosts may have a subject day with Wolfsburg’s leaky defence.

There’s a lot at stake for each groups, however we’re backing Die Kraichgauer to have an excessive amount of high quality for the guests, who’re banking on a brand new supervisor bounce.

For information evaluation of the almost certainly outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.