Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Hoffenheim are struggling down at the bottom end of the Bundesliga table after an indifferent start to the 2024/25 season. The Batem-Wurttemberg side take on an RB Leipzig side that have started well but struggled before the international break.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 23rd November, 2024: UK – 2:30pm / US ET – 9:30am / US PT – 6:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
Hoffenheim Preview: A new start for Hoffenheim
Last season, Hoffenheim enjoyed an extremely impressive campaign as they managed to finish seventh and qualify for the UEFA Europa League as a result. However, this time around, they are languishing just above the bottom three and the danger zone as we return from the November international break.
That poor start to the campaign has seen the seemingly harsh decision taken to sack American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo and replace him with Christian Ilzer, who has left Austrian champions Sturm Graz to move to the Bundesliga. This is a top-half squad, at least, that has significantly underperformed at the start of this season.
RB Leipzig Preview: RB needing energy
Marco Rose is under pressure in charge of RB Leipzig despite the fact they return from the November international break sitting second in the Bundesliga. However, performances at the start of the season were unconvincing and results had begun to drift just before the break with a pattern of attacking inefficiency emerging.
Leipzig come into this one on the back of a frustrating goalless draw at home to Borussia Monchengladbach at the Red Bull Arena a couple of weeks ago with just 15 goals scored in their ten league games so far this season. The visitors have won just two of their last six matches across all competitions.
Hoffenheim Team News: Several injuries
Hoffenheim are dealing with several injury concerns ahead of this weekend’s visit of Leipzig with several attacking injuries as well as at the back.
Former Liverpool defender Ozan Kabak is sidelined with an ACL injury as well as the likes of key first-teamers such as Grischa Promel, Haris Tabakovic and Ihlas Bebou.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Baumann; Chaves, Stach, Akpoguma; Kaderabek, Grillitsch, Geiger, Jurasek; Tohumcu; Bulter, Kramaric
Unavailable: Kabak (Injured), Becker (Injured), Nsoki (Injured), Promel (Injured), Lenz (Injured), Bischof (Injured), Tabakovic (Injured), Bebou (Injured)
Questionable:
RB Leipzig Team News: Key absentees
RB Leipzig are dealing with several key absentees for this weekend’s trip to Hoffenheim as the likes of Castello Lukeba, Lutsharel Geertruida and David Raum are sidelined.
As well as those three defenders, Leipzig are also missing North Macedonia international Eljif Elmas, Austria international Xaver Schlager and Netherlands international Xavi Simons.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Bitshiabu; Henrichs, Vermeeren, Kampl, Nusa; Sesko, Baumgartner; Openda
Unavailable: Lukeba (Injured), Geertruida (Injured), Raum (Injured), Elmas (Injured), Schlager (Injured), Simons (Injured), Poulsen (Injured)
Questionable:
Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig Prediction
Hoffenheim are not necessarily the Bundesliga entertainers but their drop has been one that has caught the attention. Their new manager in place will seek to ensure they become a lot more difficult to beat as they take on Leipzig this weekend. Leipzig have the players to be entertaining but they have underwhelmed in terms of their performance level. They do remain favourites, though, despite their array of injury issues.
Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig Tip: RB Leipzig to win & under 3.5 goals