Hoffenheim will hope to distance themselves from the Bundesliga's relegation zone when they welcome Borussia Monchengladbach to PreZero Arena on Saturday.
The hosts are fifth last in 14th place with 14 points following their 1-1 stalemate with Borussia Dortmund to on December 15, while the away side are 11th with 21 points and beat Holstein Kiel 4-1 on December 14.
Match preview
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Hoffenheim are four points ahead of 16th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy the league's relegation playoff spot, and nine points ahead of second last Holstein Kiel.
Manager Christian Ilzer will be delighted that his side managed to earn a deserved point against Dortmund, though they had to rely on Jacob Bruun Larsen to score a 90th-minute equaliser.
Goalscoring has been an issue for the hosts this season, with the club having failed to find the back of the net five times in their last eight games.
Ilzer's team are in poor overall form considering they have drawn their three most recent matches - losing the previous three – but they have only lost once in their last five Bundesliga fixtures, collecting six points in that time.
Hoffenheim's record at home has been surprisingly strong this campaign, with the side winning four, drawing three and losing just one of their past eight games at PreZero Arena.
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Borussia Monchengladbach were dominant against Holstein Kiel, producing 14 shots from inside the penalty area, accumulating nearly 2.5 xG and creating four big chances while preventing their opponents from creating any big chances of their own.
Head coach Gerardo Seoane praised his players' mentality after the victory, telling reporters: "We knew that Kiel would have phases of possession and that they are flexible in attack, but we were disciplined during these moments and had clarity without the ball. We also had a few good moments from counter-attacks."
Seoane's side have not won back-to-back games in the Bundesliga since May 2022 - a period encompassing 81 matches – though it should be mentioned that his team have only lost once in their last eight league games, winning four times.
Die Fohlen's record of 23 goals scored and 19 conceded in the top flight makes them the division's joint eighth-best offensive and joint fourth-best defensive club.
The visitors' form away from home is alarming, with the team having lost 11, drawn seven and triumphed in just two of their past 20 Bundesliga fixtures on the road.
Team News
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Hoffenheim will not be able to select defenders Pavel Kaderabek, Christopher Lenz and Ozan Kabak, so perhaps Valentin Gendrey, Arthur Chaves, Stanley N'soki and Alexander Prass could start in the backline.
Anton Stach is certain to be selected to play in a double pivot, and considering midfielders Grischa Promel, Finn Becker and Umut Tohumcu are injured, Diadie Samassekou may partner him.
Forwards Ihlas Bebou and Marius Bulter will not feature on Saturday, so expect Tom Bischof, Andrej Kramaric and Jacob Brunn Larsen to start behind striker Adam Hlozek.
Borussia Monchengladbach will be without midfielder Florian Neuhaus as a result of a hip injury, and Seoane may start Rocco Reitz and Julian Weigl together.
Forwards Grant-Leon Ranos and Tomas Cvancara are doubts but could make an appearance, while Nathan N'Goumou is not scheduled to return until early January.
Striker Tim Kleindienst is likely to be supported by attackers Franck Honorat, Alassane Plea and Robin Hack.
Regulars Ko Itakura and Nico Elvedi are almost certain to start as centre-backs in front of goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas.
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Gendrey, Chaves, N'soki, Prass; Stach, Samassekou; Bischof, Kramaric, Larsen; Hlozek
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Nicolas; Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Ullrich; Reitz, Weigl; Honorat, Plea, Hack; Kleindienst
We say: Hoffenheim 1-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
It is difficult to see how the visitors win on Saturday given their poor record on the road, though they will be full of confidence following their commanding win last time out.
The hosts do not come into the clash in strong form, but considering they have rarely lost at home this term, it would not be surprising if they at least avoided defeat.
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Lewis Nolan
