Arminia Bielefeld vs. Hoffenheim: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Bielefeld have made a solid if not unspectacular start to their second season back in the Bundesliga. Masaya Okugawa scored his first goal of the campaign last weekend to bring Arminia level at 1-1 away at Borussia Mönchengladbach - the same result of their previous two outings away at Greuther Fürth and at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, following an opening goalless tie with Freiburg - but Frank Kramer's side would go on to lose 3-1 for their first defeat of 2021/22. Fabian Klos and new signing Patrick Wimmer are the only other players so far to score for Bielefeld (all one each), who remain one of four clubs without a win this Bundesliga campaign. Defensive leader Amos Pieper is again a doubt with an ankle problem, meaning Nathan de Medina should continue to partner Joakim Nilsson - brother of former TSG promotion winner Per Nilsson - in the centre of defence.

Kramaric is strangely yet to get on the scoreboard after four matchdays this season, but has been making up for that with his league-leading four assists in Hoffenheim's eight goals. Six of those have come away from home, making TSG the Bundesliga's deadliest side on their travels in 2021/22. The Croatian has 82 Bundesliga goals over his career, compared to only 24 for the entire Bielefeld squad. An opening 4-0 win in Augsburg and a 2-2 draw at home to Union Berlin has now been followed by back-to-back defeats at Borussia Dortmund (3-2) and against Mainz (2-0). Youngster Georginio Rutter looks set to keep his place at the leading striker, while Chris Richards has immediately slotted into Sebastian Hoeneß's defence alongside captain Kevin Vogt following his return to Sinsheim on another loan from Bayern Munich.

Match stats

Okugawa has registered two goals and as many assists in 17 Bundesliga appearances, but is yet to fire on Bielefeld soil.

Kramer oversaw two Bundesliga defeats in caretaker charge of Hoffenheim in 2012/13.

Bielefeld are unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga home matches (W2, D3), a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim among that run.

Kramaric is set to make his 190th appearance in all competitions for Hoffenheim. He has scored a club-record 97 goals.

Hoffenheim have failed to win any of their last six Bundesliga matches that didn't involve a Kramaric goal or assist.

Die Kraichgauer have only lost three successive single-season Bundesliga matches once since the 2015/16 campaign - and that was under Hoeneß last term.

Probable line-ups

Bielefeld: Ortega - Brunner, de Medina, Nilsson, Laursen - Prietl - Wimmer, Schöpf, Hack, Okugawa - Klos (c)

Out: Vasiliadis (ankle)

Doubtful: Fernandes (ill), Pieper (ankle)

Coach: Frank Kramer

Hoffenheim: Baumann - Kaderabek, Vogt (c), Richards, Raum - Grillitsch, Stiller - Baumgartner, Kramaric, Bruun Larsen - Rutter

Out: Bicakcic (knee), Hübner (back), Nordtveit (thigh)

Doubtful: Akpoguma (match fitness), Rudy (back)

Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß