Hoffenheim vs Hamburg Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Hoffenheim are performing quite well just outside of the top four as they take on a struggling Hamburg side that earned themselves a much-needed win last week.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN

How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+

Hoffenheim preview: Push for Europe

Hoffenheim begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting fifth in the Bundesliga table and only outside of the top four and the UEFA Champions League qualifying spots on goal difference.

The hosts did end a four-match unbeaten run of form last weekend as they suffered a 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park due to strikes in either half by Julian Brandt and Nico Schlotterbeck.

Hamburg preview: Good form

Following promotion to the top-flight last season, Hamburg have been steady and they now head into this one on the back of back-to-back victories, pushing themselves away from the bottom three and the danger zone.

After they edged past Stuttgart by two goals to one a couple of weeks ago, Hamburg then defeated Werder Bremen by three goals to two, from 2-0 down, at the Volksparkstadion with Albert Sambi Lokonga, Luka Vuskovic and Yussuf Poulsen goals.

Hoffenheim team news: Bernardo suspended

Former Brighton and Hove Albion defender Bernardo is missing through suspension for Hoffenheim this weekend, while fellow defender Koki Machida is out due to a knee injury.

Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): Baumann; Coufal, Hranac, Hajdari, Prass; Avdullahu; Promel, Burger; Asllani; Lemperle, Toure

Unavailable: Machida (Injured), Bernardo (Suspended)

Questionable: 

Hamburg team news: Remberg suspended

Hamburg midfielder Nicolai Remberg is missing through suspension for this one and they also have some key injury issues, too, such as defender Warmed Omari and striker Robert Glatzel.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Fernandes; Capaldo, Vuskovic, Torunarigha; Jatta, Sambi Lokonga, Meffert, Soumahoro; Vieira, Dompe; Philippe

Unavailable: Omari (Injured), Remberg (Suspended), Rossing-Lelesiit (Injured), Glatzel (Injured)

Questionable: Elfadil (Injured)

Hoffenheim vs Hamburg prediction

Hoffenheim are enjoying a very good season with a typically German-infused style of football with a high pressing approach and a lot of intensity. Hamburg play in a similar fashion, albeit do naturally slow things down in the final third with the more deliberate and precise play of Fabio Vieira. Both sides’ styles perhaps compliment each other for the neutral and both teams scoring may well be a good bet for this one.

Hoffenheim vs Hamburg tip: Both teams to score