Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim Preview & Prediction | 2022-23 German Bundesliga
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THE FACTS
When is Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim on and what time does it start? Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim will take place on Saturday 27th May, 2023 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim
Where can I stream Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim can be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
STUTTGART
Stuttgart fans may well have been fearing the worst when they went a goal down away to Mainz in their most recent encounter which could have proven the death-knell for them in terms of relegation. What followed though was truly exceptional, Stuttgart demonstrating heart, guts, fight and most importantly quality, scoring four without reply, equalising just before half-time before racking up three second half goals, sealing a 1-4 triumph on the road and ensuring that they begin the final day outside the bottom three with their fate firmly in their own hands.
You’d have been forgiven for thinking Stuttgart would meekly surrender their Bundesliga status following that terrible defeat away to rock-bottom Hertha back in early May. Since that result though, Stuttgart have rallied. A hard-fought 1-1 draw at home to Bayer Leverkusen was backed up by that wonderful triumph in Mainz. With an excellent goal difference, three points against Hoffenheim will ensure another dramatic survival.
HOFFENHEIM
Not many people thought that Hoffenheim would be able to get the better of a Union Berlin side looking to seal a top four place and Champions League football next season. But Hoffenheim were fighting for their Bundesliga lives and put in arguably their best performance of the season at just the right time. They ruthlessly capitalised on individual errors forced by their relentless energy and pressing off the ball, making it very uncomfortable for Union. Hoffenheim fans will have been wondering where this sort of showing has been over the course of the season, but most importantly it arrived just in time, Hoffenheim winning 4-2 and gaining three points which has all but guaranteed their survival.
Hoffenheim’s home form of late has been absolutely critical success, particularly from an attacking perspective. Their last two fixtures at the PreZero Arena have ended in victory with seven goals scored over the course of those two games. Andrej Kramaric bagged a brace against Union, also setting up Hoffenheim’s fourth goal to seal the three points deep into second half stoppage time.
THE TEAM NEWS
STUTTGART
Sebastian Hoeness will be relieved to have the vast majority of his squad available ahead of the biggest game of their season. As it stands, the only player definitely set to be missing is 20-year-old striker Thomas Kastanaras, who has a foot problem. Centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou also has a foot injury and is doubtful, but Hoeness will hope he is available at least to sit on the bench.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Bredlow; Mavropanos, Anton, Ito; Vagnoman, Endo, Karazor, Sosa; Silas, Guirassy, Fuhrich
UNAVAILABLE: Kastanaras (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Zagadou (Injured)
HOFFENHEIM
Central midfielder Dennis Geiger is nursing a back injury and with survival all but secured, the expectation is that he won’t be risked in this one, giving him the summer to get back to full fitness. Confirmed as missing are Kevin Akpoguma and Pavel Kaderabek, both of whom are nursing muscle problems, whilst a knee injury keeps out centre-back Kevin Vogt with Stanley Nsoki likely to start alongside John Brooks and Ozan Kabak.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Baumann; Kabak, Brooks, Nsoki; Bebou, Stiller, Becker, Promel, Angelino; Kramaric, Baumgartner
UNAVAILABLE: Akpoguma (Injured), Kaderabek (Injured), Vogt (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Geiger (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Now that Hoffenheim have done their job and secured safety with an excellent goal difference, despite Stuttgart being able to draw level on points with them here, it would be no surprise if their performance as a team ends up regressing in this match. Such a victory last weekend will have taken plenty out of them and they will have deservedly celebrated their success. This is expected to play into Stuttgart’s favour, who know a win will keep them up. On their own ground against an opponent with little to play, Stuttgart should come out on top.
TIP: STUTTGART TO WIN
