TSG Hoffenheim vs Wolfsburg

PreZero Arena is the venue as TSG Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg go head-to-head in an exciting Bundesliga contest.

December couldn’t have ended soon enough for Hoffenheim as they failed to win all six matches last month (D3, L3), including four in the Bundesliga (D2, L2). As a result, they slipped to 15th in the table, only four points clear of the bottom three, highlighting the importance of a flying start to the new calendar year. With each of Hoffenheim’s three top-flight victories this season coming on home turf, the PreZero Arena is probably the best venue to accommodate a winning start. Upcoming rivals Wolfsburg could facilitate the hosts’ return to the win column, considering ‘Die Kraichgauer’ have emerged victorious from three of their last four meetings at this stadium (L1). The winter addition of Gift Orban should increase the firepower up front and help Christian Ilzer’s side maintain an incredible 4.38 goals per game ratio on home soil this season.

On the other hand, Wolfsburg ended the last calendar year on a sorrowful note, conceding three goals apiece in defeats to Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund after piecing together a five-game winning streak beforehand. That run featured a 3-0 win against none other than Hoffenheim, helping them secure a berth in the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals. Eager to bounce back after the Christmas break, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men hit the road, buoyed by the fact they’ve only lost one of their last five league matches away from home (W3, D1). Furthermore, they bagged an eye-catching 13 goals in that sequence. Since they’ve netted 2+ goals in their last two encounters against Hoffenheim (W1, D1), another high-scoring event could be on the cards.