Hoffenheim and Borussia Monchengladbach are separated by five points in the Bundesliga standings before Saturday's gameweek 30's encounter at PreZero Arena.
The home side are outsiders to nick a continental slot at the end of the 2023-24 season, while Gladbach are wary of being sucked into a relegation battle in the campaign's final weeks.
Match preview
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A disappointing second-half collapse last time out against Mainz could not prevent Pellegrino Matarazzo's men from falling to a fourth league defeat in five, losing 4-1 having led at the interlude.
The dip has followed a two-game winning sequence against Borussia Dortmund (3-2) and Werder Bremen (2-1), even if recent losses have seen Die Kraichgauer become outsiders to secure a continental berth for next season.
Hoffenheim sit ninth in the standings on 36 points, six behind Eintracht Frankfurt, whose four-match winless streak (two losses) gives the chasing pack hope of catching the sixth-placed side.
While Matarazzo's men wish to supplant Frankfurt, results must improve to give themselves a chance in the campaign's concluding weeks.
However, a below-par return in front of their fans has Hoffenheim third-bottom considering home results (16 points), underscoring the challenge of nicking a fifth home victory on Saturday.
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Be that as it may, Gladbach are not pulling up trees on their travels, highlighted by securing 12 points from 14 road matches.
Only two victories have been claimed by Gerardo Seoane's men in 2023-24, with the Foals beating Wolfsburg 3-1 the last time they visited an away ground on April 7.
The travelling fans will find positivity in the club's three-game undefeated sequence on their travels — notching a point at Mainz (1-1) and Heidenheim (1-1-) before the win at the Wolves — giving the visitors confidence before gameweek 30.
Gladbach are not desperate for a positive result on Saturday, although the Foals will be aware that five points separate them from Mainz in the relegation playoff spot.
Even though it would take a dramatic turn of events for Matarazzo's men to slide into danger, Die Borussen hope to avoid survival conversations this term by notching another decent-to-good result on their travels.
Team News
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Stanley Nsoki (hip) is touch-and-go, but Mergim Berisha and Marco John (both knee) are ruled out for Hoffenheim against Gladbach.
Maximilian Beier is the home side's top scorer with 13 goals, and the forward should start alongside Wout Weghorst (six goals) up top.
The away side have multiple absences, although Christoph Kramer (illness) could play if passed fit.
However, Tony Jantschke (adductor), Jordan Siebatcheu, Manu Kone (both thigh), Nathan N'Goumou and Grant-Leon Ranos (both ankle) are not expected to play any part this weekend.
Alassane Plea has not added to his seven Bundesliga goals since returning from injury, and the forward hopes to open his account for 2024 in gameweek 30.
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Kabak, Grillitsch, Drexler; Kaderabek, Promel, Stach, Bulter; Kramaric; Weghorst, Beier
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Omlin; Friedrich, Elvedi, Wober; Lainer, Weigl, Itakura, Netz; Honorat, Plea, Hack
We say: Hoffenheim 1-2 Borussia Monchengladbach
Gladbach won the reverse fixture (2-1) in December, claiming their fourth consecutive win over Hoffenheim to extend their undefeated sequence against this weekend's opponent to five. While Saturday's game could end in a draw, we are sticking our necks out for an away win, with the visitors showing some stability in recent road games.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
