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

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With nine-goal top-scorer Taiwo Awoniyi away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Union began 2022 needing to find another source of goals while the 24-year-old is leading the line for Nigeria. They did so on Matchday 18, albeit from a fairly unlikely place. Grischa Prömel had just one Bundesliga goal to his name - and four in total over the course of his career - prior to last weekend but struck twice as Union first trailed, then led and eventually drew 2-2 with Bayer Leverkusen. Max Kruse has been pushed slightly further forward due to the Awoniyi shaped hole in attack and is expected to partner Kevin Behrens once more for the visit of Hoffenheim, although Andreas Voglsammer is pushing to be involved from the start. Further back, Marvin Friedrich this week swapped Union for Borussia Mönchengladbach and he will likely be replaced by Timo Baumgartl in the back three.

Kramaric has been stuck on 99 Hoffenheim goals for seven games now, with his last strike dating back to the 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin on Matchday 10. Despite the Croatian's frustrating wait for a goal, Hoffenheim have won five, drawn two and lost just once since their record scorer last bagged so Sebastian Hoeneß won't be too concerned over Kramaric's dry spell. Their latest victory - a 3-1 win at home to Augsburg - lifted Hoffenheim into third, leaving them just six points off Borussia Dortmund in second-place one week into the new year. Ihlas Bebou was the man to drive that victory forward with a first-half double before Germany left-back David Raum wrapped things up in stoppage time. Injury to Pavel Kaderabek will force Hoeneß into a change from the side that beat Augsburg, with Kevin Akpoguma expected to come in on the right, but USMNT international Chris Richards should remain the rock in the defensive trio.

Match stats

Union are unbeaten in eight games this Bundesliga season involving an Awoniyi goal (W5, D3). They've won only two of 10 without a goal from their top scorer, losing three.

Kruse is Union's next biggest attacking threat, with three goals and four assists.

Union have only lost once at home in the 2021/22 Bundesliga - to Bayern Munich - and twice since 19 September 2020.

Bebou needs just two more goals to equal his single-season personal best of nine, set last term.

Kramaric has never scored so few (two), or provided as many goals (two), at this stage in a Bundesliga season.

Hoffenheim are enjoying their longest unbeaten run since going 10 without defeat between October and December 2018, under Julian Nagelsmann.

Probable line-ups

Union: Luthe - Jaeckel, Knoche, Baumgartl - Trimmel (c), Khedira, Prömel, Oczipka - Haraguchi - Kruse, Behrens

Out: Awoniyi (Africa Cup of Nations)

Doubtful: Gießelmann (knock), Van Drongelen (not included), Wszolek (not included)

Coach: Urs Fischer

Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Posch, Vogt, Richards - Akpoguma, Baumgartner, Geiger, Raum - Kramaric - Bebou, Dabbur

Out: Adams (illness), Grillitsch (not included), John (not included), Kaderabek (thigh), Samassekou (Africa Cup of Nations), Skov (thigh)

Doubtful: Bicakcic (match fitness), Gacinovic (muscular)

Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß