Preview: Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Hoffenheim - prediction, team news, lineups

Gladbach were beaten 4-2 by Borussia Dortmund last weekend, while Hoffenheim drew 1-1 against Mainz 05.

Match preview

Having claimed seven points from a possible nine ahead of their trip to Dortmund, Gladbach travelled with plenty of confidence as they looked to maintain their place in the Bundesliga's top half of the table.

That looked set to be a realistic ambition when goals from Rocco Reitz and Manu Kone provided them with a 2-0 lead in the first half at Westfalenstadion, but Marcel Sabitzer and Niclas Fullkrug struck back to restore parity within four minutes.

Jamie Bynoe-Gittens scored in the final minute of the first half to provide the hosts with a narrow half-time lead, but despite amassing 23 shots - 13 of which were on target - across the course of the encounter, they did not manage to settle the match until Donyell Malen's 97th-minute strike.

Although Die Fohlen were dominated by Dortmund, Gerardo Seoane will be pleased by his side's upturn in performances and results in recent weeks. The former Bayer Leverkusen boss will be confident of claiming a third successive home win in the league against Hoffenheim, before hosting Wolfsburg in the last-16 of the DFB-Pokal later in the week as they look to win the club's first major trophy for almost three decades.

Hoffenheim, meanwhile, have failed to win any of their last four matches in all competitions after being held at home by Mainz on Sunday.

Die Kraichgauer had trailed at half-time courtesy of Marco Richter's strike for the struggling visitors, but Robert Skov equalised three minutes after the break. A draw was probably the fair outcome with both teams registering a similar amounts of shots, possession and corners, with Hoffenheim holding onto sixth spot despite their recent downturn in form.

However, it should be remembered that they were fighting against relegation for most of last season, with Pellegrino Matarazzo ultimately guiding them to safety during the closing weeks of the campaign. The former Stuttgart boss lost each of his first five matches in charge after being appointed in February earlier this year, but he has won 11 out of 22 league matches since then.

The 45-year-old will have dreams of taking Hoffenheim back into Europe next season by claiming a top six position, and having claimed 16 points from a possible 18 on their travels in the Bundesliga this season, there is every chance they can return to winning ways in Monchengladbach this weekend.

Borussia Monchengladbach Bundesliga form:

D

L

W

D

W

L

Borussia Monchengladbach form (all competitions):

L

W

W

D

W

L

Hoffenheim Bundesliga form:

W

L

W

L

D

D

Hoffenheim form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

D

D

Advert - content below:

Team News

Gladbach are expected to remain without Tony Jantschke, Lukas Ullrich, Ko Itakura, Hannes Wolf and Jonas Omlin through injury, while Stefan Lainer is unavailable after being diagnosed with lymph node cancer earlier this year. However, the Austria full-back recently resumed full training and will hope to be involved in a matchday squad before the winter break.

Theoson Siebatcheu was withdrawn against Dortmund due to a knock and is unlikely to be risked, with Tomas Cvancara representing the most likely candidate to replace the former Union Berlin striker in attack.

Hoffenheim, meanwhile, will travel without Grischa Promel as the midfielder received his fifth booking of the season against Mainz. Florian Grillitsch is likely to replace Promel - who will miss one match through suspension - in the visitors' engine room.

Stanley Nsoki, Mergim Berisha, Marco John and Dennis Geiger will all remain sidelined for Hoffenheim, meaning Matarazzo is unlikely to make any other changes to the side which claimed a point against Mainz last time out.

Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:

Nicolas; Scally, Elvedi, Wober; Honorat, Reitz, Weigl, Kone, Netz; Cvancara, Plea

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:

Baumann; Kabak, Brooks, Vogt; Skov, Grillitsch, Stach, Bulter; Kramaric; Beier, Weghorst

We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-2 Hoffenheim

Although Gladbach have improved in recent weeks, they allowed 13 shots on their goal against Dortmund last week, with performances under Seoane's management still leaving plenty to be desired.

Hoffenheim's results have dipped of late, but their away record has been extremely impressive this season, and we can envisage Matarazzo's side claiming a sixth win in seven matches on the road.

Previews by email