Hoffenheim vs. Eintracht Frankfurt: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

Latest

Andrej Kramaric returned to the Hoffenheim squad after a one-game absence due to a head injury for the 6-3 win in Fürth last time out, but started on the bench as Ihlas Bebou — with a hat-trick — and Georginio Rutter, who scored twice, took the limelight. A second successive league victory — and third in four league games — pushed Sebastian Hoeneß's men into fifth place, and was achieved without Christoph Baumgartner, whose muscle problem continues to trouble him. Ermin Bicakcic remains sidelined some 14 months after suffering an ACL injury, while Robert Skov, Jacob Bruun Larsen and Pavel Kaderabek are also out. Benjamin Hübner could make his first Bundesliga appearance since the last day of the 2019/20 campaign. Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann missed the Fürth win with illness, but is expected to return.

Frankfurt have strung together three successive league wins and are four matches unbeaten to help them pick up pace after a sluggish start. Oliver Glasner's men remain in the bottom half of the table, however, and have found goals hard to come by, despite Kostic's best efforts. Those include an assist for Evan N'Dicka's added-time winner last time out against Union Berlin. Defensive leader Martin Hinteregger was on the bench for that game and could return after an ankle problem, though Glasner may be tempted to persist with veteran Makoto Hasebe — nearly 38 years old — alongside Tuta and N'Dicka in his backline. At the other end, Colombian striker Rafael Borre looks to have the edge over Sam Lammers and Goncalo Paciencia, although the latter has struggled with injuries.

Match stats

Kramaric has scored 84 Bundesliga goals in 172 appearances, but one across nine meetings with Frankfurt is proportionally his worst return against all German top-flight opponents he's faced.

Although Baumann has kept a joint league high five clean sheets so far this season, Hoffenheim have conceded the most goals (20) of any team currently in the top half of the standings.

Hoffenheim are winless in their last eight games against Frankfurt, losing their last six in a row.

Kostic has scored, assisted or both in seven of his 12 Bundesliga appearances in 2021/22, including in three of his last four.

Despite Kostic's team-leading contribution of three goals and five assists, Eintracht have scored just 16 times so far this season. It's their lowest return at this juncture since 2017/18.

On the plus side, Frankfurt have won three straight Bundesliga matches for the first time under Glasner.

Probable line-ups

Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Posch, Grillitsch, Vogt - Akpoguma, Samassekou, Geiger, Raum - Kramaric - Bebou, Dabbur

Out: Bicakcic (knee), Bruun Larsen (muscular), John (shoulder), Skov (thigh)

Doubtful: Baumgartner (muscular), Kaderabek (match fitness), Rudy (muscular)

Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß

Frankfurt: Trapp - Tuta, Hinteregger (c), N'Dicka - Toure, Sow, Jakic, Kostic - Kamada, Lindstrom - Borre

Out: Younes (not considered)

Doubtful: Lenz (thigh)

Coach: Oliver Glasner