DFB-Pokal | Round of 16

Dec 4, 2024 at 5pm UK

VOLKSWAGEN ARENA

Wolfsburgvs.Hoffenheim

Match preview

The Wolves made it through to the round of 16 thanks to a late winner from Jonas Wind. He reacted quickly to a loose ball in the box and instinctively struck it into the bottom-left corner.And Ralph Hasenhüttl was pleased with his team's performance on 30 November, when they beat RB Leipzig 5-1.

Wolfsburg were three up after just 16 minutes, and it's worth noting that Die Roten Bullen had only conceded nine goals prior to their defeat on Saturday.

Hasenhüttl's team are on a roll, with six straight wins and a 9-2 goal tally in their last three outings.

The hosts have won six of their past eight games in the DFB-Pokal, but while they've been undefeated in their last three home games, they've also lost two, drawn two and won two of their past six games at the Volkswagen Arena.

Hoffenheim had a strong start under new boss Christian Ilzer, winning 4-3 against Leipzig on 23 November. However, they lost their next two games under him.

Ilzer's team lost 2-0 to Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga on Sunday. They had four big chances but only managed to create one.

The Kraichgauer have scored 17 goals and conceded 24 times in the league, which makes them the division's 11th best offensive and joint third worst defensive club in the top flight.

Hoffenheim are having a rough patch, losing three, drawing two and winning just one of their last six games. On the bright side, they've won five of their last seven DFB-Pokal matches.

It's fair to say that the visitors' away form has been disappointing. They've failed to win any of their last nine matches on the road, losing five and drawing four in that time.

Recent Performance

Wolfsburg DFB-Pokal form:WW

Wolfsburg form (all competitions):DWDWWW

Hoffenheim DFB-Pokal form:WW

Hoffenheim form (all competitions):LDDWLL

Team News

The hosts will be without forwards Bartosz Bialek, Kevin Paredes and Lovro Majer, so it'll be interesting to see who they put in at the front. My guess is that they'll go with Patrick Wimmer, Ridle Baku, Mohamed El Amine Amoura and Jakub Kaminski.

Midfielder Aster Vranckx, left-back Rogerio, centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw and goalkeeper Niklas Klinger won't be playing.

It looks like Wolfsburg will be fielding a backline of Kilian Fischer, Denis Vavro, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Joakim Maehle.

Hoffenheim are also facing a few challenges with several players out, including defenders Ozan Kabak, Christopher Lenz and Florian Grillitsch.

Midfielders Grischa Promel and Finn Becker won't be available, so it'll be interesting to see if Ilzer starts Anton Stach and Tom Bischof in a double pivot.

It looks like forwards Marius Bulter and Ihlas Bebou won't be playing, so it'll be interesting to see who the visitors choose to lead their attack. My guess is that it'll be Adam Hlozek, Andrej Kramaric, Jacob Brunn Larsen and Haris Tabakovic.

Possible starting lineup

Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:

Grabara; Fischer, Vavro, Koulierakis, Maehle; Dardai, Arnold; Baku, Wimmer, Amoura; Kaminski

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:

Baumann; Kaderabek, Chaves, Nsoki, Prass; Stach, Bischof; Hlozek, Kramariz, Larsen; Tabakovic