Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Hoffenheim vs. Union Berlin - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 18 May 2023, 17:17
Union Berlin head to Hoffenheim on Saturday on the cusp of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.

The hosts, meanwhile, may require four points from their final two matches to avoid finishing in the bottom three.

Match preview

Indeed, after moving away from the relegation zone by winning three consecutive matches either side of the most recent international break, three defeats from their last four matches have drawn Hoffenheim back into trouble.

Pellegrino Matarazzo's side were edged out by Wolfsburg in a 2-1 defeat last time out, with Joshua Guilavogui's own goal in injury-time ultimately arriving too late for Die Kraichgauer to be able to mount a creditable comeback.

With a final day trip to their relegation rivals Stuttgart ahead of them, Hoffenheim will be desperate to gain a positive result against Union Berlin on Saturday to ensure that their destiny remains in their own hands regardless of results elsewhere.

Both Stuttgart and Schalke 04 head into the weekend within three points of Hoffenheim from the automatic relegation and relegation play-off spots respectively, so defeat for Matarazzo's side could prove disastrous ahead of their final day showdown.

On the flipside, victory for Union Berlin would all but ensure that they carry off one of the most remarkable overachievements in European football in recent years by qualifying for the Champions League.

Urs Fischer's side appeared to be stuttering having won only one of their previous six matches ahead of their trip to Freiburg last weekend, but they delivered against their rivals when it mattered most in the form of a sensational 4-2 victory.

A brace from Sheraldo Becker trebled Die Eisernen's half-time lead after Kevin Behrens had opened the scoring after only five minutes, but nerves at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei were jangling when the visitors pulled two goals back through Manuel Gulde and Vincenzo Grifo.

An equaliser for Freiburg would have meant them remaining level on points with Union Berlin in fourth spot heading into the final two matches of the season, but instead Aissa Laidouni's late strike helped his side move three points clear of their opponents with a significantly stronger goal difference to boot.

As such, one win from their last two games should prove enough to secure a top four position, although Fischer's side require four points to be mathematically certain of matters.

With a final day match against Werder Bremen at home still to come, avoiding defeat against Hoffenheim may be viewed as a positive result this weekend, although the outcome of Freiburg's match against Wolfsburg on Friday night will undeniably have a huge baring on matters.

Hoffenheim Bundesliga form:

W

D

L

L

W

L

Union Berlin Bundesliga form:

L

D

W

D

L

W

Team News

Hoffenheim will remain without Stanley Nsoki for one more match after the defender's recent dismissal against Eintracht Frankfurt, with fellow defenders Kevin Vogt and Pavel Kaderabek both ruled out for the season due to leg injuries.

However, Dennis Geiger returned to the matchday squad last time out following a back issue, with Matarazzo likely to be considering making a couple of changes after his side's disappointing defeat to Wolfsburg.

Robert Skov could come into the starting XI in order to provide more solidity at wing-back, with Ihlas Bebou potentially moving up front in place of Munas Dabbur.

Union Berlin, meanwhile, may have to replace Diogo Leite due to a head injury, with Paul Jaeckel the most likely candidate to come into the visitors' defence should Fischer persist with a back three.

Otherwise, Fischer is unlikely to make any changes to a winning formula, with the likes of Laidouni, Jordan Siebatcheu and Niko Giesselmann potentially having to make do with making an impact from the bench.

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:

Baumann; Kabak, Brooks, Akpoguma; Skov, Rudy, Promel, Angelino; Kramaric, Baumgartner; Bebou

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:

Ronnow; Doekhi, Knoche, Jaeckel; Trimmel, Schafer, Khedira, Haberer, Roussillon; Becker, Behrens

We say: Hoffenheim 2-2 Union Berlin

This is a hugely important match for both teams at either end of the table, with a victory potentially enough for either side to achieve their respective ambitions.

However, avoiding defeat would not be the end of the world as it would ensure that their destiny remains in their own hands heading into the final match of the season, or potentially even better than that depending on results elsewhere. As such, we can envisage a share of the spoils after an entertaining affair.

Previews by email

Top News

13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Just over 24 hours after taking over as Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim has reportedly already been handed his first injury blow. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Iraq will welcome Jordan to the Basra International Stadium for Thursday's meeting in the Asian section of 2026 World Cup qualifying. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The action resumes in Group L of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as Burundi and Malawi go head to head at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Thursday. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted his target of reaching 1,000 career goals may be beyond him, as his career begins to wind down, raising questions about whether he could retire in the near future. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Insiders from Premier League clubs have reportedly blamed Thomas Tuchel and the FA for the huge spike in injury withdrawals from the upcoming England squad this month. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liechtenstein will travel to the Ta' Qali National Stadium on Thursday to take on Malta in an international friendly. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lionel Messi is set to captain Argentina when they travel to Asuncion to face Paraguay in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Thursday night. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Journalist and Arsenal expert Charles Watts cannot see a way back for Premier League referee David Coote if the alleged unverified video of him making disparaging remarks about Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp is genuine. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala has dropped a hint about his future at the club, with contract talks said to be ongoing between the two parties. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United's new manager Ruben Amorim has reportedly been handed an early transfer blow, with Bayern Munich stating that Leroy Sane is not for sale this January. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly shortlisted West Ham United attacker Mohammed Kudus with the view of signing the player next summer. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After winning an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title last season, Manchester City enter November's international break in the 2024-25 campaign sitting five points adrift of early leaders Liverpool after 11 matches played. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they have entered the international break on the back of losing four games in a row across all competitions for the first time since 2006 and for the first time ever under manager Pep Guardiola. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are not expected to respond to the emergence of an apparently damning video of Premier League referee David Coote in which the official made insulting and derisive comments regarding former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp until the PGMOL complete their investigation into the incident. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni will have goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez available for selection again when they face Paraguay in World Cup qualifying on Thursday. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, who is also attracting interest from Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly interested in AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan as a replacement for Ederson. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Villarreal head coach Marcelino has attempted to play down speculation linking the club with Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Goncalo Guedes. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides at opposite ends of the AFC FIFA World Cup qualifying Group B table come together on Thursday afternoon when Kuwait host group-leaders South Korea. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nigeria will hope to secure their spot in the 2025 African Cup of Nations when they face Benin at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Thursday. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brazil will be without Real Madrid duo Rodrygo and Eder Militao for their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier away in Venezuela on Thursday after both suffered first-half injuries in the win over Osasuna on Saturday. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to enter the market for a new centre-back during the January transfer window. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After a promising set of results in October, Brazil return to action in World Cup qualifying when they travel to Maturin to face Venezuela on Thursday. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to close the gap on the top two places in Group A, Qatar will host second-placed Usbekistan at the Khalifa International Stadium for an AFC World Cup qualifying clash on Thursday afternoon. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal dropped two points rather than gaining one in their 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but there were signs of the "old" Gunners team in West London. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have been punished for failing to adequately replace their most "important player" Martin Odegaard when the Norwegian was out with an ankle injury, according to Gunners expert Charles Watts. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After making a fine start to their latest UEFA Nations League campaign, just one more point would ensure Italy qualify for the quarter-finals on Thursday, when they visit Belgium in Brussels. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Belgium's task will be perfectly clear on Thursday evening, as they must win to stay in contention for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals when welcoming Italy to Brussels. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified a Benfica defender as a potential transfer target for 2025. 12 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to return to winning ways following difficult matches during the October international window, Armenia and the Faroe Islands will lock horns in Yerevan for a UEFA Nations League C clash on Thursday night.