Heidenheim vs Hoffenheim Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 German Bundesliga
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THE FACTS
When is Heidenheim vs Hoffenheim on and what time does it start? Heidenheim vs Hoffenheim will take place on Saturday 26th August, 2023 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Heidenheim vs Hoffenheim? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Heidenheim vs Hoffenheim on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for Heidenheim vs Hoffenheim
Where can I stream Heidenheim vs Hoffenheim in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Heidenheim vs Hoffenheimcan be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
HEIDENHEIM
History will be made at the Voith-Arena as Heidenheim host Bundesliga football for the first time in their club’s existence. Much drama has occurred since the 2. Bundesliga champions’ last competitive home fixture and an incredible ovation will greet their players and head coach Frank Schmidt. Not least their maidan German top flight fixture last weekend away at Wolfsburg.
The result didn’t go the way that Schmidt would have wanted, his side falling behind early on and never recovering, going two goals down before the half-hour mark and eventually losing 2-0. But his team never gave up and can take heart over how they restricted Wolfsburg, when they could easily have collapsed and lost by a significantly bigger margin.
HOFFENHEIM
After a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, Hoffenheim would have been optimistic of significant improvement this time round under Pellegrino Matarazzo. Alas, they got off to the worst possible start, losing at home to Freiburg after a desperately poor first half showing saw them 0-2 down at half-time to Christian Streich’s side.
After their players no doubt enduring a half-time tongue-lashing, Hoffenheim improved in the second-period and pulled a goal back just five minutes after the restart. That was as good as it got though as the hosts fell to a 1-2 defeat.
THE TEAM NEWS
HEIDENHEIM
Heidenheim’s Marnon Busch and Lennard Maloney each come into this one with their availability uncertain due to injuries sustained vs Wolfsburg, whilst Elidon Qenaj remains sidelined. Should Busch be ruled out, then Omar Traore is likely to take his place at right-back, whilst Kevin Sessa is an option to play in Maloney’s position.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Muller; Busch, Mainka, Siersleben, Fohrenbach; Dinkci, Maloney, Beck, Beste; Pieringer, Kleindienst
UNAVAILABLE: Qenaj (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Busch (Injured), Maloney (Injured)
HOFFENHEIM
A groin injury has rendered centre-back and last weekend’s goalscorer Ozan Kabak as doubtful. Striker Kramaric could also miss out due to a back problem. Should Kabak miss out, then Kevin Akpoguma appears the prime candidate to step in as part of a back three. Midfielder Dennis Geiger remains out and is proving a big miss for Hoffenheim.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Baumann; Akpoguma, Brooks, Szalai; Kaderabek, Stiller, Grillitsch, Promel; Bulter; Bebou, Weghorst
UNAVAILABLE: Conte (Injured), Geiger (Injured), Tohumcu (Injured),
QUESTIONABLE: Kabak (Injured), Kramaric (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Heideinheim and Hoffenheim will each see three points as very much attainable here in what will be a cauldron of an atmosphere that greets Heidenheim’s first ever Bundesliga home fixture. Whilst on paper, the Hoffenheim players are superior ability-wise and boast enough offensive power to carve out numerous opportunities against the host backline, Heidenheim will thrive on the home crowd energy and know that this a big opportunity against a team who have struggled now for a consistent period of time stretching back to last season. Expect Heidenheim to take the game to Hoffenheim, which may lead to a real end-to-end battle. With that in mind, back both teams to score.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
