RB Leipzig will aim to prevent the five-point gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich from extending by claiming all three points at Hoffenheim's PreZero Arena on Saturday.
The hosts drew 0-0 with Augsburg on November 10 and are fourth last in 15th place with nine points from 10 games, while their opponents are second with 21 points after 10 matchweeks and drew 0-0 with Borussia Monchengladbach on November 9.
Match preview
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Hoffenheim sacked head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo on November 11 with the club just one point ahead of 16th-placed St Pauli, who occupy the division's relegation playoff spot.
Christian Ilzer was appointed in his place during the international break and fans will hope that the Austrian can channel the success he had managing Sturm Graz where he won a domestic double and ended Red Bull Salzburg's 10-year run as league champions.
In their last outing against Augsburg, Die Kraichgauer created no big chances despite accumulating 56% possession.
Ilzer's side have drawn three, lost two and won one of their six most recent matches, scoring four goals, conceding seven times and failing to find the back of the net on four occasions.
The hosts were held to a draw and beaten in their last two games at home, but they did triumph in the previous three fixtures at PreZero Arena.
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Meanwhile, Die Roten Bullen struggled for control in the first half against Borussia Monchengladbach and faced two big chances, but while their second-half showing was an improvement it was only enough to earn a point.
Marco Rose was upbeat about his players' performances, but still noted that they struggled in the final third, saying: "It was bumpy in the first half, but we did very well in the second half. In the final third, we just weren't clear enough. We had a lot of crosses, but unfortunately they were too inaccurate."
Indeed, though RB Leipzig are second in the top flight, they only boast the league's joint eighth-best offensive record having scored 15 goals.
To Rose's credit, his team have only conceded five times in 10 Bundesliga games, and this makes them the best defensive club in the division.
Die Roten Bullen have drawn one and been defeated in two of their last three games and have not won their last two league matches.
Leipzig's away form has been impressive for some time, with the club having lost just one of their 11 most recent Bundesliga outings on the road, achieving victory in seven fixtures during that period.
Team News
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Both teams have numerous absentees, and Hoffenheim will be without left-back Christopher Lenz and centre-back Stanley N'Soki until early December 2024, as well as centre-back Ozan Kabak until February next year.
In their place, Pavel Kaderabek, Arthur Chaves, Kevin Akpoguma and David Jurasek could start in defence in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.
Midfielders Grischa Promel and Finn Becker are also likely to miss out, while forward Ihlas Bebou is not scheduled to make a comeback from injury until late December.
Anton Stach should be a guaranteed starter, and he may be joined in midfield by Florian Grillitsch and Tom Bischof.
As for Leipzig, they will be unable to select defenders David Raum and El Chadaille Bitshiabu, so they are likely to field a defensive line consisting of Lutsharel Geertruida, Lukas Klostermann, Willi Orban and Benjamin Henrichs.
Eljif Elmas and Xaver Schlager have been ruled out until January, while Xavi Simons could make a return in December, and in their absence, Christoph Baumgartner, Amadou Haidara, Arthur Vermeeren and Antonio Nusa may be chosen in a midfield four.
Striker Yussuf Poulsen is not available for the away team, but Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko are more often than not part of the first team as a pairing up front.
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Kaderabek, Chaves, Akpoguma, Jurasek; Stach, Grillitsch, Bischof; Kramaric; Berisha, Bulter
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Geertruida, Klostermann, Orban, Henrichs; Baumgartner, Haidara, Vermeeren, Nusa; Openda, Sesko
We say: Hoffenheim 1-1 RB Leipzig
Hoffenheim could start well against RB Leipzig on Saturday and catch their opponents off guard given their new managerial appointment may provide Rose with new and unexpected tactical challenges.
However, Leipzig have proven to be resilient on the road, and they could leave PreZero Arena with at least a point.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
