Hoffenheim are set to host relegation candidates Heidenheim at PreZero Arena on Sunday in what could be a pivotal clash at the bottom of the Bundesliga table.
The home team are sixth last in 13th place with 25 points and managed to beat VfL Bochum 1-0 on March 1, while Heidenheim were beaten 3-0 by Borussia Monchengladbach on the same date and are last in 18th place with 15 points.
Match preview
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Hoffenheim were fortunate to claim all three points against Bochum given they created no big chances and only scored thanks to Tom Bischof's long-range strike in the 72nd minute, and opposition goalkeeper Timo Horn will feel he should have done better to save the shot.
It should be noted that the result was the first time the hosts' prevented their opponents from scoring in any competition since December 12, a period that encompassed 12 games without a clean sheet.
Die Kraichgauer were held to a goalless stalemate by Heidenheim when the sides met in the league on October 27, though their unbeaten streak against Sunday's visitors was at least extended to four matches having won two and drawn two of their last four clashes.
Christian Ilzer's side are undefeated in their last three league outings – achieving victory twice – but they did lose six, draw three and win just one of their prior 10.
Ilzer's team have underwhelmed at home this campaign considering they are winless in their eight most recent fixtures at PreZero Arena, succumbing to defeat on four occasions.
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Meanwhile, Heidenheim missed several chances in front of goal against Borussia Monchengladbach, and Patrick Mainka will be particularly disappointed that he squandered a golden chance in the 49th minute when the score was 2-0.
The away side have conceded at least two goals in eight of their last 10 games and have failed to score in three of their past four Bundesliga matches.
Boss Frank Schmidt will be concerned that his team are six points from 15th-placed St Pauli, who are the first team outside the relegation zone, though they are just two points from the division's 16th-placed relegation playoff spot.
However, Heidenheim will not close that gap unless their form drastically improves given the club have lost 15 of their past 19 Bundesliga games while only winning once.
Schmidt's side have also failed to triumph in any of their last nine league outings on the road, losing seven times.
Team News
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Hoffenheim come into Sunday's clash without several stars, including defenders Christopher Lenz, Ozan Kabak and Valentin Gendrey, and that could mean Arthur Chaves and Leo Ostigard will start in the centre of defence.
Midfielder Anton Stach picked up a yellow card last time out and is suspended, and his absence may lead Ilzer to station Tom Bischof deeper alongside Finn Ole Becker.
Striker Gift Orban may be supported in attack by Haris Tabakovic, Andrej Kramaric and Max Moerstedt given forwards Adam Hlozek, Grischa Promel and Ihlas Bebou have been ruled out.
As for Heidenheim, midfielder Julian Niehues will return to action at the end of the month, but on Sunday Schmidt may start Jan Schoppner and Niklas Dorsch together in a double pivot.
Striker Maximilian Breunig is not scheduled to make his comeback from an ankle issue until the end of March, so perhaps Marvin Pieringer will be positioned up front.
Mainka and Benedikt Gimber have regularly featured in defence, and they may be fielded in a back three alongside Tim Siersleben.
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Kaderabek, Chaves, Ostigard, Prass; Bischof, Becker; Tabakovic, Kramaric, Moerstedt; Orban
Heidenheim possible starting lineup:
Muller; Mainka, Gimber, Siersleben; Traore, Schoppner, Dorsch, Fohrenbach; Kratzig, Honsak; Pieringer
We say: Hoffenheim 1-1 Heidenheim
It is difficult to overlook Heidenheim's poor performances in recent months, and they should come into the clash as second favourites.
However, Hoffenheim's form at home has room for improvement, and it would not be surprising if the sides played out a tense stalemate on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
