Hoffenheim vs Stuttgart Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It could well be that the top five get UEFA Champions League football in the Bundesliga and Hoffenheim are keeping themselves in contention.
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: Pushing for UCL
Coached by former Sturm Graz boss Christian Ilzer, Hoffenheim earned a club-record 17th win of the Bundesliga campaign last weekend, defeating Hamburg by two goals to one at the Volksparkstadion.
Hoffenheim begin the match day sitting tucked inside the top five in the Bundesliga but only behind DFB-Pokal finalists Stuttgart on goal difference with three games to go in the campaign.
Stuttgart preview: Cup distraction
They now face a Stuttgart side that, coached by Sebastian Hoeness, are defending cup winners and they earned themselves progression into the final this time around with a recent extra-time victory against Freiburg.
In the league, though, the visitors were held to a 1-1 draw by a struggling Werder Bremen side in their most recent outing, meaning that they have now won just one of their last four matches in the Bundesliga.
Hoffenheim team news: Couple of suspensions
Hoffenheim are dealing with a couple of suspensions for this one as Czechia international Robin Hranac is now sidelined alongside the versatile Grischa Promel.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Baumann; Akpoguma, Kabak, Hajdari; Coufal, Avdullahu, Burger, Toure; Asllani, Kramaric; Lemperle
Unavailable: Gendrey (Injured), Hranac (Suspended), Promel (Suspended)
Questionable: Machida (Injured), Hlozek (Injured)
Stuttgart team news: Jeltsch a doubt
Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch is dealing with an abdomen issue, while versatile attacker Lazar Jovanovic is sidelined due to a back injury.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Neubel; Jaquez, Zagadou, Mittelstadt; Assignon, Chema, Stiller, Leweling; Tomas, El Khannouss; Undav
Unavailable: Jovanovic (Injured)
Questionable: Jeltsch (Injured)
Hoffenheim vs Stuttgart prediction
These two sides could well be safe in the top five but, for now, the hunt to finish in the top four is very much on. Hoffenheim are in good form and should take the initiative with home advantage and Stuttgart play some of the most entertaining football in Europe and so quite a fun watch for the neutral, regardless of the end match result, seems a good bet for this one on Saturday afternoon.
Hoffenheim vs Stuttgart tip: Both teams to score
