Preview: Hoffenheim vs Stuttgart – prediction, team news, lineups

As the race for Champions League soccer reaches a climax within the Bundesliga, Hoffenheim will welcome prime-4 rivals Stuttgart to the PreZero Arena for an important six-pointer on Saturday.

Die Kraichgauer are searching for a 3rd consecutive win this weekend, whereas Die Roten are hoping to bounce again after a disappointing draw final day out.

Match preview

Christian Ilzer‘s Hoffenheim have been the shock candidates for a spot within the prime 4 this season, however after spending vital components of the marketing campaign heading in the right direction to qualify for UEFA’s premier membership competitors, they’ve slipped down the desk.

In the weeks following their 3-0 win over Freiburg on Valentine’s DayDie Kraichgauer went on to win simply one among their subsequent seven prime-flight video games – dropping three and drawing three – a run that included a dire 1-0 defeat against relegation-threatened St Pauli on February 28.

However, Ilzer’s facet appears to have regained some stability simply in time to salvage their push for Champions League soccer, securing a 2-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund on April 18, earlier than another 2-1 triumph over Hamburger SV most lately.

Those successes imply that Hoffenheim come into Saturday’s conflict fifth within the Bundesliga, stage on 57 factors with their opponents, to not point out that they’re now unbeaten in three matches.

That being mentioned, it stays to be seen whether or not the hosts’ renewed kind can carry into the ultimate three video games of the season, particularly contemplating that they’ve solely received as soon as throughout their final 4 house fixtures, dropping twice and drawing as soon as – 1-1 against Wolfsburg on March 14.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Hoeness‘s Stuttgart have bounced again impressively from their ninth-positioned end in 2024-25 to now be on monitor for Champions League soccer, particularly after dropping the likes of Nick Woltemade final summer season.

Die Roten presently sit fourth within the German prime flight, and have reached the top of the DFB-Pokalthe place they may face Bayern Munich on May 23 in a bid to retain their cup crown.

However, Hoeness’s males have been notably inconsistent in current weeks, alternating between defeat and victory within the eight video games throughout all competitions previous to their frustrating 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen final Sunday.

That stalemate has left Stuttgart in a precarious place, stage on 57 factors with their opponents and with only a single league win – a 4-0 thrashing of Hamburger SV on April 12 – from their 4 most up-to-date Bundesliga outings.

To make issues worse, the guests head into this weekend’s essential showdown having misplaced two, drawn two and received solely one among their final 5 away league matches, a stretch that includes a shocking 2-1 beating by St Pauli and to 3-3 draw with bottom-of-the-table Heidenheim.

With simply three video games remaining within the prime-flight calendar, Saturday’s spotlight fixture could possibly be decisive, and if Die Roten are to return to the very best stage of continental competitors, then they might want to defy their lacklustre away report.

Hoffenheim Bundesliga kind:

Stuttgart Bundesliga kind:

Stuttgart kind (all competitions):

Team News

© Iconsport / Daniel Castro

Hoffenheim have been already lacking plenty of defenders, together with proper-again Valentin Gendrey (ankle) and heart-again Koki Machidawho’s recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament damage, however the hosts’ rearguard will probably be even lighter this weekend with out suspended heart-half Robin Hranac.

Filling the gaps, Ilzer may go for a trio of Ozan Kabak, Albian Hajdari and Bernardo in entrance of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, flanking the group with Vladimir Coufal and Bazoumana Toure at wing-again.

Elsewhere, midfielder Grischa Promel can be suspended after selecting up his fifth yellow card of the season in opposition to Hamburger, though Leon Avdullahu and Wouter Burger must be available to begin within the heart of the park.

Up prime, striker Adam Hlozek is sidelined with a calf damage, however Tim Lemperle is more likely to be supported by Fisnik Asllani and Andrej Kramaric in assault.

As for Stuttgart, they’re lacking heart-backs Ameen Al Dakhil and Finn Jeltsch because the pair work their approach to health following respective knee and belly accidents, so count on to see Ramon Hendriks and Jeff Chabot on the coronary heart of the visiting protection.

Long-term absentee winger Lazar Jovanovic stays out of motion with a again damage, however Bilal El Khannouss, Deniz Undav and Chris Fuhrich look set to line up behind the versatile Tiago Tomas on Saturday.

Hoffenheim doable beginning lineup:

Baumann; Kabak, Hajdari, Bernardo; Coufal, Avdullahu, Burger, Toure; Kramaric; Lemperle, Asllani

Stuttgart doable beginning lineup:

Nubel; Vagnoman, Hendriks, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Karazor, Stiller; El Khannouss, Undav, Fuhrich; Thomas

We say: Hoffenheim 2-1 Stuttgart

Hoffenheim have dropped the tempo in current months, though they appear to have discovered their toes simply in time to make an impression on the enterprise finish of the season.

That being mentioned, uncertainty stays round each groups – particularly given Stuttgart’s inconsistency – so count on to see a detailed-fought contest on Saturday.

For information evaluation of the most definitely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.