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Hoffenheim logo
Bundesliga | Gameweek 9
Nov 2, 2024 at 2.30pm UK
DnB NOR Arena

Hoffenheim
0 - 2
St Pauli

FT(HT: 0-1)
Afolayan (20'), Albers (90+4')
Guilavogui (64'), Blessin (70')

Preview: Hoffenheim vs. St Pauli - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Bundesliga clash between Hoffenheim and St Pauli, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Struggling Hoffenheim and St Pauli are separated by one place in the Bundesliga table heading into Saturday's gameweek nine clash at PreZero Arena.

The 15th-placed hosts could be leapfrogged by their promoted opponents if they suffer a three-goal loss.


Match preview

Pellegrino Matarazzo, Hoffenheim manager, gives instructions for his side against Holstein Kiel on August 24, 2024© Imago

Hoffenheim could drop into the relegation playoff spot this weekend if they lose by three goals or more, an outcome that seems unlikely, even if it highlights Die Kraichgauer's disappointing start this term.

Last season's seventh-placed side have claimed two Bundesliga victories in 2024-25 — home wins over promoted Holstein Kiel (3-2) and VfL Bochum (3-1) — and seek another triumph in front of their supporters.

The Europa League participants have seemingly struggled to acclimate to combining continental exertions with domestic football, even if recent results suggest a turnaround is in the offing.

Pellegrino Matarazzo's men went a month without recording Bundesliga success, falling to four consecutive losses before securing a point at Stuttgart at the start of October — a match they led until last season's runners-up nicked a late leveller.

Although Matarazzo's men lost a Europa League match in Porto last week, a league win over Bochum, a draw at Heidenheim and a DFB-Pokal win over Nurnberg (2-1) during the week showcases an upturn in results.

They hope to clinch a fourth consecutive success in front of their supporters against an opponent still struggling to find their feet after 13 years away.

St Pauli head coach Alexander Blessin on August 9, 2024© Imago

Five of St. Pauli's eight matches have ended in defeats, while they have failed to find the back of the net in as many matches, losing three in that period.

The men from Hamburg have found the jump to the top flight challenging, especially under a new boss who was not in situ when they notched the second-tier title.

With Fabian Hurzeler now at Brighton, Alexander Blessin must find solutions for his team's goalscoring issues if they are to leave the bottom three.

Five goals is a Bundesliga low, two more than Bochum and four back of fourth-placed Union, a statistic they aim to change this weekend.

Although Kiezkicker's only triumph this term came on the road at Freiburg (0-3), three away losses underscore struggles on their travels and the low optimism before visiting Hoffenheim.

Hoffenheim Bundesliga form:


Hoffenheim form (all competitions):


St Pauli Bundesliga form:


St Pauli form (all competitions):



Team News

Adam Hlozek pictured in action for Hoffenheim on October 3, 2024© Imago

Dennis Geiger is doubtful with a back injury, possibly joining Christopher Lenz (calf), Ihlas Bebou, Finn Ole Becker, Ozan Kabak, and Grischa Promel (all of whom have knee injuries) on the treatment table.

Although Haris Tabakovic has netted in consecutive games at PreZero Arena, he is not anticipated to start, with Matarazzo expected to go with Adam Hlozek and Marius Bulter up top.

St. Pauli will check on Connor Metcalfe (groin), although Blessin is not anticipated to have Soren Ahlers, Sascha Burchert (both have knee problems), Elias Saad (ankle), Ben Voll (fractured jaw) and Simon Zoller (thigh) available.

Jackson Irvine (three) and Johannes Eggestein (two) have created five big chances overall, and they hope to be as creative in Sinsheim this weekend.


Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Akpoguma, Stach, N'Soki; Gendrey, Bischof, Grillitsch, Prass; Kramaric; Hlozek, Bulter

St Pauli possible starting lineup:
Vasilj; Wahl, Smith, Mets; Saliakas, Irvine, Boukhalfa, Treu; Sinani, Eggestein, Guilavogui


SM words green background

We say: Hoffenheim 2-0 St Pauli

With Saad missing for St. Pauli, the away side's already tricky visit to Hoffenheim just got doubly harder without their top scorer.

Despite the closeness in the table, the hosts should take care of business and notch a fourth consecutive home triumph in all competitions.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Game History

How you voted: Hoffenheim vs St Pauli

Hoffenheim
86.0%
Draw
12.0%
St Pauli
2.0%
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayern MunichBayern108203372626
2RB Leipzig106311551021
3Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt1062226161020
4Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen104512116517
5Freiburg105231311217
6Union BerlinUnion Berlin1044298116
7Borussia DortmundDortmund105141818016
8Werder Bremen104331721-415
9Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach104241514114
10Mainz 05Mainz103431514113
11Stuttgart103431919013
12Wolfsburg103341918112
13Augsburg103341320-712
14Heidenheim103161315-210
15Hoffenheim102351319-69
16St Pauli10226712-58
17Holstein Kiel101271225-135
18VfL BochumVfL Bochum100281030-202


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