Hoffenheim vs. Heidenheim preview: Hosts looking to end wait for home win | OneFootball

Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim have put together a three-game unbeaten run since suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat against Union Berlin on February 8. They began their recent upturn in form with a 3-1 away win over Werder Bremen, before they played out a 1-1 home draw with Stuttgart. Christian Ilzer’s side returned to winning ways in last Saturday’s away clash against Bochum, with Tom Bischof scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory.

Hoffenheim have now collected 25 points from 24 league matches, leaving them in 13th place and five points clear of the drop zone. They will be keen to add three more points to their tally on Sunday, but that may be easier said than done due to their recent home form. Die Kraichgauer have failed to win any of their last six Bundesliga home matches since beating RB Leipzig 3-2 in November. Overall, Hoffenheim have mustered 12 points from as many league games at the PreZero Arena - only three teams have picked up fewer points on home turf this season.

Team News

Ozan Kabak, Grischa Prömel and Ihlas Bebou are all sidelined with knee injuries, while they are also without Christopher Lenz, Adam Hložek and Marius Bülter. As for Anton Stach, he will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Heidenheim

Heidenheim are languishing at the foot of the Bundesliga table after winning four, drawing three and losing 17 of their 24 league games this season. The basement side have taken just two points from eight Bundesliga matches since beating Union Berlin 2-0 on January 11. Frank Schmidt’s side fell to a heavy 3-0 defeat in last Saturday’s meeting with Borussia Mönchengladbach, with the result representing a fourth consecutive home loss in the Bundesliga.

They have also have found life difficult on their travels, having drawn two and lost five of their nine away league games since recording a 2-0 victory over Mainz in September. They have also failed to win any of their previous three Bundesliga matches against Hoffenheim, losing 3-2 in their first top-flight meeting in August 2023, before playing out consecutive draws, including a goalless affair in October’s reverse fixture. The visitors will be desperate to strike first in Sunday’s clash given the fact they have lost 15 of the 16 league matches when they have conceded the opening goal this season.

Team News

Midfielder Julian Niehues and forward Maximilian Breunig will miss out due to ankle and muscle injuries respectively.