Hoffenheim return to action at PreZero Arena on Saturday when they host Wolfsburg in their 16th Bundesliga game of the season, where they will hope to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
Die Kraichgauer are fourth last in 15th place with 14 points and emerged from the winter beak just four points above the 16th-placed relegation playoff spot after they lost 2-1 against Borussia Monchengladbach on December 21, whereas Wolfsburg are 11th with 21 points and were beaten 3-1 by Borussia Dortmund on December 22.
Match preview
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Hoffenheim fans can be forgiven for wondering how their team failed to win last time out, especially as they only faced one big chance while creating five of their own, as well as having produced nearly 3.5 xG.
Boss Christian Ilzer was not critical of his team's showing but did highlight the importance of finishing chances in front of goal, saying: "Efficiency is a great virtue in football. You could see that our opponents are in a flow. Our performance was absolutely fine.
"We got a better grip on the game in the second half and scored the goal for 1-1 during a spell of pressure but didn't manage to capitalise on that momentum. We're often having to chase the game at the moment. The performance and the result do not match today."
Ilzer's appointment as manager in late November has not yielded improved results, as while he won his first game in charge against RB Leipzig on November 23, he has since overseen four losses and three draws.
Die Kraichgauer have also only scored three goals in their last seven games, conceding 12 times in that period.
The hosts have failed to win their three most recent matches at home, and though they have only been beaten twice in their past nine fixtures at PreZero Arena, they have drawn three, lost two and won just one of their last six at home.
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Meanwhile, Wolfsburg can have no complaints with their defeat at the hands of Dortmund, especially as they faced five big chances in the first half and trailed 3-0 by the half-time interval.
Head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl bemoaned his players' lack of defensive discipline in recent weeks in the aftermath of the loss, telling reporters: "We weren't good enough in the first half and invited the opponents to score goals. There's no coming back from that in the second half. It's frustrating that we defended so badly for those five minutes.
"We need to become more solid defensively again, we've conceded too many goals in the last few games and we can't always come back from that."
The Wolves have conceded nine goals in their last three games, whereas they had only conceded three times in their previous seven outings.
It should be noted that while Hasenhuttl's team have lost their two most recent fixtures, they did triumph in their prior five and beat Hoffenheim 3-0 on December 4 in the DFB-Pokal.
The visitors' form on the road has also been strong considering they have won five, drawn one and lost just two of their last eight away games.
Team News
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Hoffenheim are still in the midst of an injury crisis despite the winter break pausing their season, and they will have to cope without defenders Arthur Chaves, Christopher Lenz, Ozan Kabak and Stanley N'Soki.
Valentin Gendrey, Kevin Akpoguma, Robin Hranac and Alexander Prass are likely to start in defence in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.
Midfielders Finn Becker, Grischa Promel and Umut Tohumcu are also set to miss out, so expect Anton Stach to be partnered by Diadie Samassekou in a double pivot.
Striker Gift Orban could be supported by Tom Bischof, Adam Hlozek and Andrej Kramaric considering forwards Ihlas Bebou and Marius Bulter will not be in the matchday squad.
As for the visitors, they will be without defender Rogerio and goalkeeper Niklas Klinger, as well as midfielders Aster Vranckx and Kevin Paredes.
Wolfsburg could start a backline consisting of Kilian Fischer, Denis Vavro, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Joakim Maehle, while goalkeeper Kamil Grabara is almost certain to be selected between the posts.
Striker Bartosz Bialek and attacking midfielder Lovro Majer will not be available for selection, though winger Ridle Baku could make the XI should he recover from an illness in time.
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Gendrey, Akpoguma, Hranac, Prass; Stach, Samassekou; Bischof, Hlozek, Kramaric; Orban
Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
Grabara; Fischer, Vavro, Koulierakis, Maehle; Dardai, Arnold; Baku, Wimmer, Tomas; Amoura
We say: Hoffenheim 1-2 Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg's recent defensive record should give Hoffenheim confidence that they can at least prevent the visitors from keeping a clean sheet.
However, it is hard to overlook the hosts' poor form under Ilzer, and considering Hasenhuttl's side have been difficult to beat away from home, it would not be surprising if Wolfsburg left with all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
