Hoffenheim vs Eintracht Frankfurt Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Both winners on the opening round, Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt each look to make it six points from six to begin this season’s Bundesliga.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Not streamed / US – ESPN+
Hoffenheim preview: A new dawn
After suffering through a relegation battle last season and ultimately surviving, the Hoffenheim hierarchy and fanbase will have been hoping that Christian Ilzer could lead the club to brighter days again with a full pre-season behind him. Those people came away from the BayArena on Saturday on cloud nine with what they saw.
Not many would’ve expected Hoffenheim to get anything against Bayer Leverkusen, but Ilzer’s men defended brilliantly and were ruthless at the other end of the pitch. To go behind early on, only to come back and win 1-2 says plenty about their character and for Tim Lemperle to score the winner on his league debut was the icing on the cake.
Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Picked up where they left off
Dino Toppmoller’s second season in charge of Eintracht Frankfurt was a huge success, the former Bayern Munich assistant securing a third-placed finish and Champions League football. After another transfer window that saw the sale of a key forward player, thoughts of Eintracht struggling in front of goal, were valid. But one match in and it’s clear to see that scoring goals won’t be a problem.
After racing into a 2-0 lead against Werder Bremen after 25 minutes, Eintracht never let their grip on the contest slip and they wound up winning by four goals to one. The result puts them in second-place on goal difference heading into the second round of fixtures.
Hoffenheim team news: Up to five missing
The likes of Ozan Kabak and Adam Hlozek among others remain out for Hoffenheim, who could opt for a front three of Asllani, Lemperle and Bazoumana Toure, with Andrej Kramaric playing just behind them.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Baumann; Coufal, Chaves, Hranac, Prass; Tohumcu, Avdullahu, Kramaric; Asllani, Lemperle, Toure
Unavailable: Burger (Injured), Gendrey (Injured), Hlozek (Injured), Kabak (Injured), Machida (Injured)
Questionable:
Eintracht Frankfurt team news: Skhiri in race against time
Midfielder Ellyes Skhiri is fighting to be fit for this game, with a knee injury currently rendering him doubtful. Forward Jessic Ngankam definitely won’t make it due to an issue with his thigh.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Zetterer; Kristensen, Koch, Collins, Theate; Larsson, Skhiri; Doan, Uzun, Bahoya; Burkardt
Unavailable: Ngankam (Injured)
Questionable: Skhiri (Injured)
Hoffenheim vs Eintracht Frankfurt prediction
After such a poor season last time out, Hoffenheim fans may have cause for optimism again and their players return home with spirits extremely high following that first victory. They defended brilliantly away at Leverkusen and will need to do so again here. But it would be no surprise if Ilzer opts to take more risks offensively with Hoffenheim being at home.
That may play into Eintracht Frankfurt’s favour as it brings the counter-attack into play, an area where they have been so strong under the stewardship of Toppmoller. It’s early days but Frankfurt looks very much like a Champions League contender once again this season as Toppmoller consistently finds different ways to adapt despite the attacking players lost over the last two transfer windows. Such offensive firepower should see them overcome Hoffenheim, although only back them via the safety of the draw no bet market.
Hoffenheim vs Eintracht Frankfurt tip: Eintracht Frankfurt draw no bet
