Bundesliga | Gameweek 16

Jan 11, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

DnB NOR Arena

Hoffenheim vs Wolfsburg

Match preview

Hoffenheim fans will be forgiven for wondering how their team failed to win last time out, especially given that they only created one great chance, while creating five of their own and producing almost 3.5 xG.

Boss Christian Ilzer was not critical of his side's performance, but stressed the importance of converting chances in front of goal, saying: "Efficiency is a great virtue in football. You could see that our opponents were 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 at the end of November has not led to an improvement in results, with four defeats and three draws since his first win in charge against RB Leipzig on 23 November.

The Kraichgau outfit have also scored just three goals in their last seven matches, conceding 12 times in the process.

The hosts have failed to win their last three home games, and although they have only been beaten twice in their last nine at the PreZero Arena, they have drawn three, lost two and won just one of their last six at home.

Wolfsburg, on the other hand, have nothing to complain about in their defeat to Dortmund, especially as they had five great chances in the first half and were 3-0 down at half-time.

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, compared to just three in their previous seven.

It should be noted that while Hasenhuttl's side have lost their last two matches, they had won their previous five, including a 3-0 DFB-Pokal win over Hoffenheim on 4 December.

The visitors' away form has also been strong, with five wins, one draw and just two defeats in their last eight away games.

Recent Performance

Hoffenheim Bundesliga form:DWLDDL

Hoffenheim form (all competitions):LLDDDL

Wolfsburg Bundesliga form:WWWWL

Wolfsburg form (all competitions):WWWWLL

Team News

Hoffenheim are still in the midst of an injury crisis despite the winter break and will be 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 at the back 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 partner Diadie Samassekou in a double pivot.

Striker Gift Orban could be supported by Tom Bischof, Adam Hlozek and Andrej Kramaric, while strikers Ihlas Bebou and Marius Bulter will be left out of the matchday squad.

The visitors will be without defender Rogerio, goalkeeper Niklas Klinger and midfielders Aster Vranckx and Kevin Paredes.

Wolfsburg could field a back line of Kilian Fischer, Denis Vavro, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Joakim Maehle, while goalkeeper Kamil Grabara is almost certain to start between the sticks.

Striker Bartosz Bialek and attacking midfielder Lovro Majer will not be available for selection, although winger Ridle Baku could be in contention if he recovers from illness in time.

Possible starting lineup

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