Hoffenheim vs Union Berlin Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Third-placed Hoffenheim are looking for a fifth straight Bundesliga win at home to Union Berlin.
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: Magic run continues
Hoffenheim’s unbelievable season is showing no signs of slowing down. Christian Ilzer continues to utilise his squad brilliantly with every player contributing effectively when called upon through a tough run of fixtures. They’ve now won their last four games and are showing no signs of slowing down just yet.
The possibility of Champions League football next season is now very real for this side and only table toppers Bayern Munich have scored more goals than Hoffenheim’s 40 so far this season in the Bundesliga.
Union Berlin preview: No wins in four
Union Berlin saw their run of three consecutive draws in the league come to an end last weekend. However, it did not end the way they would’ve wanted, with Borussia Dortmund comfortably beating them by three goals to nil in the German capital.
Their last victory in the Bundesliga came back in December away to FC Cologne, a narrow 0-1 triumph. They need to rediscover the defensive resilience they showed in that game quickly to turn things around.
Hoffenheim team news: Burger banned
Wouter Burger being suspended means that Prass will likely play in midfield alongside Promel and Avdullahu, with Kramaric, Lemperle and Asllani forming a front three.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Baumann; Coufal, Kabak, Hajdari, Bernardo; Avdullahu, Promel, Prass; Kramaric, Lemperle, Asllani
Unavailable: Burger (Suspended), Hlozek (Injured), Machida (Injured)
Questionable: Campbell (Injured)
Union Berlin team news: Juranovic out
With full-back Juranovic injured, Trimmel should play at right-wing-back and Kohn on the left-hand-side. Rothe and Skov all miss out for Union, whilst a late call will likely be made on both Ljubicic and Skarke.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Ronnow; Doekhi, Querfeld, Leite; Trimmel, Haberer, Khedira, Kohn; Burke, Ilic, Ansah
Unavailable: Juranovic (Injured), Rothe (Injured), Skov (Injured)
Questionable: Ljubicic (Injured), Skarke (Injured)
Hoffenheim vs Union Berlin prediction
The Hoffenheim train shows no signs of slowing down and anyone getting in their way of late have been run over. It would be no surprise if the same outcome was to occur in this latest encounter. Union Berlin travel to Sinsheim having forgotten how to win of late, but even getting a point would be seen as good result here when considering how much of a juggernaut Hoffenheim are proving to be.
At home and full of confidence, Hoffenheim should take charge early on. Their relentless offensive player is likely to overwhelm this Union backline and lead to plenty of big opportunities. Everything is going the way of the home side of late and it’s hard to see that changing when factoring in how well they are playing, so back a fifth straight league victory for Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim vs Union Berlin tip: Hoffenheim to win
