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

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With nine goals in 19 appearances, Kruse has scored more often against Hoffenheim than any Bundesliga team he's faced. The Wolfsburg forward has also produced eight assists, and is fresh off reopening his account following his return to the club during the winter transfer window. Florian Kohfeldt's side were winless in 11 when he arrived from Union Berlin, but have since celebrated back-to-back victories over Greuther Fürth and Eintracht Frankfurt to move five points clear of the relegation zone. Despite joining Kruse on the scoresheet against Frankfurt, Dodi Lukebakio could be used from the bench once again. New signing Jonas Wind, meanwhile, is set to lead the line for the third time in a row, in the absence of injured six-goal top scorer Lukas Nmecha.

Hoffenheim are also back on the winning trail. After a run of three straight defeats, head coach Sebastian Hoeneß last week oversaw a welcome 2-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld that took his team back up to fifth in the standings. If they can back that up against Wolfsburg, Die Kraichgauer could climb above RB Leipzig to fourth, overnight at least. Record scorer Andrej Kramaric should be available again to help their cause, but midfielders Florian Grillitsch and Dennis Geiger will play no part due to mandatory one-match suspensions. With US centre-back Richards still carrying a knock and Ermin Bicakcic sidelined, Stefan Posch should come into the back three. Sebastian Rudy is first in line to assume the Geiger role in central midfield.

Match stats

Kruse has six goals and five assists across his 18 appearances for Union and Wolfsburg so far this season.

Wolfsburg have conceded a league-low four goals in 2022.

The Wolves are unbeaten in nine home Bundesliga games against Hoffenheim (W5, D4).

TSG boast a league-high 17 different scorers in 2021/22, a list headed by the seven-goal Ihlas Bebou.

Hoffenheim have won all four games that Kramaric has missed so far this season.

Oliver Baumann has saved 10 of 54 penalties faced in the Bundesliga. League-wide, only Wolfsburg's Koen Casteels has repelled more (11 of 38).

Probable line-ups

Wolfsburg: Casteels (c) - Lacroix, Bornauw, Brooks - Baku, Arnold, Gerhardt, Roussillon - Kruse, Vranckx - Wind

Out: L. Nmecha (ankle), Otavio (knee), Schlager (knee), Van de Ven (thigh), William (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Florian Kohfeldt

Hoffenheim: Baumann - Posch, Vogt, Hübner (c) - Bebou, Rudy, Samassekou, Raum - Baumgartner - Dabbur, Kramaric

Out: Bicakcic (knee), Geiger (suspended), Grillitsch (suspended), Richards (foot), Skov (thigh)

Doubtful: Stiller (ill)

Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß