Hoffenheim vs St. Pauli Preview: Team News & Prediction
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After a blip away at FC Cologne, Hoffenheim aim to get back to winning ways against at St. Pauli side needing to take advantage of the bottom two playing each other.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN+
Hoffenheim preview: Still in the top three
Hoffenheim remain in third-place despite dropping points against FC Cologne last time out. But they are in a good position with them currently three points above Stuttgart in fourth-place and five points above RB Leipzig in fifth-place. Their only loss since December 7th of last year came against Bayern Munich, the runaway league leaders as it stands.
This underlines how good of a team Hoffenheim are and it’s fair to say that German football has firmly accepted them as realistic Champions League contenders because it’s difficult to see them suffering an extended slump at this point when considering they good a team they look.
St. Pauli preview: A big opportunity
There’s no doubt that St. Pauli have their work cut out when it comes to them getting anything away at Hoffenheim. But with the two teams below them in the table locking horns and at least one of them guaranteed to drop points, Alexander Blessin’s side know that this is an important encounter from their perspective.
The worrying thing for St. Pauli is despite their recent revival which has led to two wins from their last three games, both of those triumphs came at home. On the road, Blessin’s men continue to struggle and they face an offensive barrage here from their opponents in Sinsheim.
Hoffenheim team news: Couple of doubts
No surprises are expected when it comes to the Hoffenheim starting XI. Hlozek and Machida remain out, whilst there are question marks over the fitness of Bebou and Lemperle.
Predicted XI: (4-3-3): Baumann; Coufal, Hranac, Kabak, Hajdari; Promel, Avdullahu, Burger; Kramaric, Toure, Asllani
Unavailable: Hlozek (Injured), Machida (Injured)
Questionable: Bebou (Illness), Lemperle (Injured)
St. Pauli team news: Three out for visitors
St. Pauli will have to do without Hountondji, Jones and Nemeth and could also be without Dzwigala who is battling against an ankle injury.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Vasilj; Ando, Wahl, Mets; Saliakas, Irvine, Smith, Pyrka; Sinani, Kaars, Fujita
Unavailable: Hountondji (Injured), Jones (Injured), Nemeth (Fitness)
Questionable: Dzwigala (Injured)
Hoffenheim vs St. Pauli prediction
Hoffenheim will be expected to dominate much of proceedings against St. Pauli, who will need to be at their very best defensively to stand a chance of getting something from this game. The hosts are notoriously strong going forward and boast the joint-second best attack in the Bundesliga. It’s hard to see St. Pauli being able to outscore them, especially in Sinsheim.
Expect any complacency to be left firmly in the dressing room and for Hoffenheim to be locked in, especially after those dropped points last weekend. It would be a surprise if the same outcome occurred here and it’s well worth backing victory for Christian Ilzer’s side.
Hoffenheim vs St. Pauli tip: Hoffenheim to win
