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

bundesliga.com, 24 September 2021, 21:05
Andrej Kramaric and Chris Richards are looking to earn Hoffenheim a first win since Matchday 1, but it will be no easy task this Saturday when they take on unbeaten Wolfsburg (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST).
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Kramaric is still going in search of his first goal of 2021/22, with Hoffenheim winless since the opening weekend of the campaign when he contributed a hat-trick of assists against Augsburg. The Sinsheimers took a point from their trip to Arminia Bielefeld last Saturday and sit 10th with five points from as many games, but head coach Sebastian Hoeneß wants more from his Europe-chasing side. Kramaric should have support from Jacob Bruun Larsen and Christoph Baumgartner once again, while Georginio Rutter is pushing to lead the line ahead of Ihlas Bebou. Sebastian Rudy remains a doubt with a back injury, so Florian Grillitsch should continue alongside Diadie Samassekou in midfield.

Wolfsburg dropped points for the first time this season last Sunday in being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt. Wout Weghorst's third goal of the season 20 minutes from time earned the point, which allowed Bayern Munich to take top spot on goal difference. Head coach Mark van Bommel made several changes for Die Adler's visit and may have to make another this time around with Dodi Lukebakio going off injured during that draw. Ridle Baku is in line to replace him on the right wing, while Lukas Nmecha could make his second start in the Bundesliga this season ahead of Renato Steffen on the opposite flank. Otherwise, there are no new injury concerns for the high-flying Wolves.

Match stats

Kramaric is without a Bundesliga goal since the final day of 2020/21, but has scored in three of Hoffenheim's last four meetings with Wolfsburg.

Seven different players have scored in the Bundesliga for Hoffenheim so far this season, led by Bruun Larsen on two.

Hoffenheim have never won after going 1-0 down in games against Wolfsburg (D1, L7), and have surrendered a 1-0 lead to the Wolves on 10 occasions (D5, L5).

Wolfsburg have scored eight times across their last three games in Sinsheim. Weghorst has netted six of them.

Indeed, the Wolves average more goals against Hoffenheim than any other club, at two per game measured over 52 in 26 games.

Maximilian Arnold is set to make his 257th Bundesliga appearance - a club record for an outfield Wolfsburg player.

Probable line-ups

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

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

Doubtful: Dabbur (ill), Rudy (back), Stiller (knock)

Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß

Wolfsburg: Casteels (c) - Mbabu, Lacroix, Brooks, Roussillon - Guilavogui, Arnold - Baku, Philipp, L. Nmecha - Weghorst

Out: Bialek (knee), Otavio (ankle), Schlager (knee), William (knee)

Doubtful: Lukebakio (thigh)

Coach: Mark van Bommel

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