In a match that could prove pivotal for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim's hopes of reaching the Europa League round of 16, they are set to welcome Romanian champions FCSB to PreZero Arena on Thursday.
The German club are one position outside the round of 16 playoff spots in 25th place with five points after five games, while the visitors are 10th with 10 points and drew 0-0 with Olympiacos on November 28.
Match preview
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Hoffenheim might have hoped that the appointment of Christian Ilzer as head coach following Pellegrino Matarazzo dismissal on November 11 would yield improved results, but while the new boss won 4-3 against RB Leipzig in his first game in charge on November 23, he has lost three and drawn one of his subsequent four matches.
The hosts were beaten 3-0 by Braga last time out in the Europa League on November 28, conceding twice in the first eight minutes and producing less than 0.8 xG in the entire game.
In the top flight, Die Kraichgauer are fifth last in 14th place with 12 points after 13 matchweeks and drew 1-1 with Freiburg on December 8.
Ilzer's side have been poor at both ends of the pitch in recent weeks, with his team having conceded nine and netted just once in their last four outings.
Hoffenheim's record at PreZero Arena is fairly strong given they have only lost once at home in their past seven fixtures, winning four and drawing one, though they have only achieved victory once in their last four home games.
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Visitors FCSB can take many positives from their draw with Olympiacos considering they managed to hold out for a point despite striker Daniel Birligea being sent off in the 67th minute.
Prior to his red card, the Romanian side had only faced five shots while producing 10 of their own, but they did not have a single effort following Birligea's red and were forced to defend in a deep block.
Boss Ilias Charalampous will be pleased by his team's showings domestically given the club are currently first in the SuperLiga with 33 points from 19 matches, though they are level on points with second-placed Universitatea Cluj.
Charalampous's side are in excellent shape in regard to their form, with the league leaders having won seven, drawn two and lost one of their 10 most recent matches.
The away team have also been strong in the Europa League given they have triumphed in four of their last six games in the competition and have in fact won five of their past eight Europa League fixtures on the road.
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Team News
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Hoffenheim come into the clash without centre-backs Florian Grillitsch, Christopher Lenz and Ozan Kabak, so expect Kevin Akpoguma and Stanley N'Soki to feature in defence.
Elsewhere, midfielders Finn Becker, Umut Tohumcu and Grischa Promel will not return this year, and in their absence, regulars Tom Bischof and Anton Stach may partner each other in a double pivot.
In the forward line, Adam Hlozek, Andrej Kramaric and Jacob Brunn Larsen will likely start behind striker Haris Tabakovic given Ihlas Bebou and Marius Bulter are injured until late December and January 2025 respectively.
Meanwhile, Daniel Birligea's suspension could mean that David Miculescu is selected to start up front for FCSB ahead of a supporting cast consisting of Octavian Popescu, Darius Olaru and Florin Tanase.
Midfielder Mihai Lixandru is nearing a comeback from a muscle injury, but if he is unable to claim a place in the XI, then Charalampous may start a double pivot of Malcum Edjouma and Adrian Sut.
In defence, Siyabonga Ngezana and Mihai Popescu are probable candidates to shield goalkeeper Stefan Tarnovanu.
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Kaderabek, Akpoguma, Nsoki, Prass; Stach, Bischof; Hlozek, Kramaric, Larsen; Tabakovic
FCSB possible starting lineup:
Tarnovanu; Cretu, Ngezana, M Popescu, Radunovic; Edjouma, Sut; O Popescu, Olaru, Tanase; Miculescu
We say: Hoffenheim 1-2 FCSB
Hoffenheim's poor results have not improved under their new manager, and there is no reason to think that they can turn their fortunes around anytime soon.
Additionally, it would not be surprising if FCSB were able to take advantage of the fact that their hosts are missing a number of players and will likely come into Thursday's game with their ranks significantly depleted.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
