Hoffenheim are set to host Dynamo Kiev at the PreZero Arena on Thursday evening, aiming to secure their first win in the 2024-25 Europa League.
The hosts drew 1-1 in their opening game of the league phase, while the visitors disappointingly lost 3-0 in their first fixture.
Match preview
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After a promising seventh-placed finish from Hoffenheim last season, their highest since placing sixth in 2019-20, expectations were high for Pellegrino Matarazzo's side ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
However, Hoffenheim have endured a dismal start to the new season, managing only two wins from their first seven matches across all competitions, with one of those victories coming via penalties against fourth-tier FC Würzburger Kickers.
Hoffenheim began their Bundesliga campaign with a dominant display in a 3-2 win over Holstein Kiel, but they have since struggled, failing to earn a single point in their next four league matches, including a collapse from a 3-0 lead to a 4-3 defeat against Werder Bremen in their most recent outing.
Matarazzo's men did manage to salvage a point in their Europa League league phase opener against FC Midtjylland, coming from behind with an 89th-minute equaliser from Max Moerstedt.
That poor run has seen pressure mount on Matarazzo's position, with reports linking Hoffenheim to David Wagner as a potential replacement, leaving the current coach in need of a quick turnaround to retain his job.
As for Dynamo Kyiv, have made a strong start to their 2024-25 domestic campaign, sitting on top the Ukrainian Premier League with 19 points from seven matches, just ahead of second-placed Oleksandria on goal difference.
After finishing in second place last season, Dynamo Kyiv were handed the opportunity to qualify for the Champions League, but they suffered a narrow 3-1 aggregate defeat to RB Salzburg in the playoff round, forcing them to compete in Europe's second-tier tournament instead.
Oleksandr Shovkovskyi's side failed to replicate their domestic success in their opening Europa League match, where they were outclassed by Lazio as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to their Italian visitors.
They bounced back with a convincing 3-0 victory over FC Livyy Bereh in their most recent match, and Thursday's visitors will be looking to earn their first points of the Europa League season in this encounter.
Team News
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Hoffenheim could be without up to six players for this match due to a variety of injury issues, including top scorer Andrej Kramaric, who is a doubt due to an ongoing illness.
David Jurasek, Finn Becker, Grischa Promel, Ihlas Bebou and Ozan Kabak are all ruled out due to injury concerns.
The visitors are also unable to call upon the services of up to six players for this match, including Maksym Bragaru, who was sent off in their opening Europa League match against Lazio.
Matviy Ponomarenko, Mykola Mykhaylenko, Nazar Voloshyn, Vladimir Shepelev and Brayan Ceballos are all expected to be sidelined due to injuries.
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Akpoguma, Grillitsch, N'Soki; Kaderabek, Tohumcu, Bischof, Prass; Hlozek; Berisha, Bulter
Dynamo Kiev possible starting lineup:
Bushchan; Karavayev, Popov, Mykhavko, Vivcharenko; Brazhko, Rubchynskyi; Yarmolenko, Buyalskyi, Voloshyn; Guerrero
We say: Hoffenheim 2-1 Dynamo Kiev
While Hoffenheim have had a horrific start to the 2024-25 campaign, they have a much stronger squad than their opposition and also boast the home advantage, two factors that should help them secure a victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
