TSG Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig

PreZero Arena forms the backdrop for a handsomely-looking Bundesliga clash between TSG Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig. 

Hoffenheim’s pursuit of European football took another knock last weekend as a 3-2 defeat at relegation-battling Bochum maintained their topsy-turvy run of alternating between home wins and away losses to five games (W2, L3). Having not drawn any of their last ten Bundesliga matches (W4, L6), the hosts will be out to extend that run with a first top-flight win in the so-called ‘El Plastico’ against Leipzig since November 2021. They’ve since lost five straight meetings with ‘Die Roten Bullen,’ including a 3-1 defeat in December’s reverse fixture. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s men have recently defied their division’s third-worst home record of just 19 points with three wins from their last four home outings (L1). However, it’s worth noting that they’ve lost all home encounters against top-six teams this season.

On the other hand, Leipzig made a decisive step to secure another top-four Bundesliga finish with a thumping 4-1 home win against Borussia Dortmund last weekend, widening the gap between the sides to five points. Marco Rose’s men have hit a purple patch down the final stretch, racking up an eye-catching eight-game unbeaten run (W7, D1), including four consecutive wins in the build-up to this trip, three of which came via multi-goal margins. Rose has seemingly addressed Leipzig’s defensive woes, as you’d need to go back to February and a 2-1 loss at Bayern Munich for the last time they conceded more than once in a Bundesliga fixture. Interestingly, after winning just four of their first 11 away league games (D2, L5), they’ve won their last four on the road.