Hoffenheim will be looking to end their poor run of form when they host Heidenheim in the Bundesliga. If the visitors can secure an away victory, they will have the opportunity to move up the table.
Preview (Hoffenheim vs. Heidenheim)
After winning six of their first nine league games this season, Hoffenheim flew out of the traps and dropped to ninth place in the standings after only tasting victory once in the next nine games. Pelleggio Matarazzo’s team suffered a 3-2 loss to Freiburg last weekend following the winter break. The former Stuttgart manager will be worried about the defensive setup and level of play of his team. This includes when leading SV Darmstadt 98, who were at the bottom of the league. This weekend, Hoffenheim will be hoping for a different result from the other promoted team. But it is far from a given, considering Heidenheim will make the short trip across Baden-Wurttemberg in top form.
Heidenheim’s unbeaten streak reached five games when they drew 1-1 with Wolfsburg the previous weekend. Before the Christmas break, Frank Schmidt’s team had won three straight games. After returning in the New Year, they had consecutive 1-1 draws to stay in the top half of the standings. Vaclav Cerny’s second goal in as many games put Heidenheim behind the Wolves after just seven minutes. Fortunately for them, Mortiz Jenz’s own goal just before halftime brought them level.
If that was the case, it was difficult to hold Schmidt and his players accountable. They should have enough to survive their first Bundesliga campaign because they have twice as many points as Darmstadt, FC Koln (whom they picked up a point away from in their first game back from the break), and Mainz 05 inside the automatic relegation spots. They would climb to the lofty ninth place if they could just record their second away victory of the season on Saturday.
Team News
Diadie Samassekou, who is representing Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations, will not be available for Hoffenheim. After earning his fifth caution of the season against Freiburg, Turkey’s Ozan Kabak was given a suspension. Kevin Akpoguma is the most likely candidate to take his place. Due to ACL injuries, Mergim Berisha and Marco John will miss the remainder of the season. Dennis Geiger is currently out with a groin injury. But Grischa Promel, who was dismissed against Bayern, may be allowed to return to the engine room after serving a one-match suspension.
Due to knee issues, Heidenheim will not be traveling with Thomas Keller and Eledon Qenaj.After recuperating from his illness, Christian Kuhlwetter should be available, but in any event, it is unlikely that he will play. Tim Kleindienst should again be in charge of the visiting team’s offensive line as Schmidt might not see the need to make any changes from the squad that drew 1-1 with Wolfsburg the previous time around.
Hoffenheim 2-2 Heidenheim
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