Hoffenheim vs. VfB Stuttgart: probable teams, match stats and LIVE blog!

Latest

Hoffenheim lost four of their last five games before the winter break, taking just one point from a possible 15, but were much improved against Union Berlin on Matchday 16. However, despite taking the lead through Ihlas Bebou on Saturday, Andre Breitenreiter's charges conceded three late goals to slip to a 3-1 defeat that has left them just three points above the drop zone. They will be hopeful of ending that slump in their first outing on home turf this year, although Breitenreiter will have to reshuffle his backline after Kevin Akpoguma was taken off with an injury in Berlin, while centre-back Ozan Kabak collected a fifth booking of the season and is suspended. He will be hopeful the experienced Kevin Vogt will be fit in time, otherwise American youngster Justin Che could be handed his first Bundesliga start after reportedly impressing Breitenreiter during the winter break. Ermin Bicakcic is another alternative but is likely not ready to start after a lengthy layoff of his own with a torn cruciate ligament.

Stuttgart have not enjoyed the most consistent of seasons thus far either but will be optimistic of climbing out of the bottom three under the guidance of veteran coach Bruno Labbadia, who joined in early December. The 56-year-old oversaw a 1-1 draw at home to Mainz on Saturday, with Serhou Guirassy netting his fifth of the season in a game in which the Swabians only converted one of their 16 efforts on goal. To that end, they will hope to have the laser-guided crosses of Borna Sosa back in the armoury for this fixture after the Croatia international missed out on Matchday 16 through a muscular injury. Japan international Endo should anchor the midfield once more, with Silas and Tiago Tomas flanking Guirassy up top.

Match stats

Christoph Baumgartner is Hoffenheim's biggest goal threat in 2022/23, with four of his own and two assists.

Andrej Kramaric scored and assisted in last season's corresponding fixture (3-3), but hasn't found the net in the Bundesliga since Matchday 8.

Hoffenheim have collected just 10 points from a possible 24 at home this season. Only Mainz, Schalke (both seven) and Augsburg (five) have fared worse in front of their own fans.

Guirassy has a team-leading and career-best five Bundesliga goals for the campaign.

Stuttgart are one of three teams still without an away win this season (D3, L4) and haven't earned three points away from the Mercedes-Benz Arena since December 2021.

What's more, VfB have not won in Sinsheim since 17 February 2013 (1-0).

Get Endo for your Fantasy team!

Want more Bundesliga Action?

Sign up for our official newsletter:

E-Mail

Subscribe

I hereby agree to the TERMS OF USE and PRIVACY STATEMENT and consent that DFL will collect, use, process and store my data if necessary for the selected Service(s). I understand that I can withdraw my consent(s) at any time. *

* Required

Probable teams

Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Kaderabek, Vogt, Nsoki - Skov, Geiger, Stiller, Angelino - Baumgartner - Bebou, Kramaric

Out: Bruun Larsen (groin), Kabak (suspended), Prömel (ankle)

Doubtful: Akpoguma (ankle)

Coach: Andre Breitenreiter

Stuttgart: Müller - Anton, Mavropanos, Ito, Nartey - Ahamada, Karazor, Endo (c) - Silas, Guirassy, Tomas

Out: Zagadou (ankle)

Doubtful: Sosa (muscular), Ulrich (ill)

Coach: Bruno Labbadia

About the clubs TSG Hoffenheim

PreZero Arena

VfB Stuttgart

Mercedes-Benz Arena

Share