Struggling Hoffenheim and St Pauli are separated by one place in the Bundesliga table heading into Saturday's gameweek nine clash at PreZero Arena.
The 15th-placed hosts could be leapfrogged by their promoted opponents if they suffer a three-goal loss.
Match preview
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Hoffenheim could drop into the relegation playoff spot this weekend if they lose by three goals or more, an outcome that seems unlikely, even if it highlights Die Kraichgauer's disappointing start this term.
Last season's seventh-placed side have claimed two Bundesliga victories in 2024-25 — home wins over promoted Holstein Kiel (3-2) and VfL Bochum (3-1) — and seek another triumph in front of their supporters.
The Europa League participants have seemingly struggled to acclimate to combining continental exertions with domestic football, even if recent results suggest a turnaround is in the offing.
Pellegrino Matarazzo's men went a month without recording Bundesliga success, falling to four consecutive losses before securing a point at Stuttgart at the start of October — a match they led until last season's runners-up nicked a late leveller.
Although Matarazzo's men lost a Europa League match in Porto last week, a league win over Bochum, a draw at Heidenheim and a DFB-Pokal win over Nurnberg (2-1) during the week showcases an upturn in results.
They hope to clinch a fourth consecutive success in front of their supporters against an opponent still struggling to find their feet after 13 years away.
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Five of St. Pauli's eight matches have ended in defeats, while they have failed to find the back of the net in as many matches, losing three in that period.
The men from Hamburg have found the jump to the top flight challenging, especially under a new boss who was not in situ when they notched the second-tier title.
With Fabian Hurzeler now at Brighton, Alexander Blessin must find solutions for his team's goalscoring issues if they are to leave the bottom three.
Five goals is a Bundesliga low, two more than Bochum and four back of fourth-placed Union, a statistic they aim to change this weekend.
Although Kiezkicker's only triumph this term came on the road at Freiburg (0-3), three away losses underscore struggles on their travels and the low optimism before visiting Hoffenheim.
Team News
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Dennis Geiger is doubtful with a back injury, possibly joining Christopher Lenz (calf), Ihlas Bebou, Finn Ole Becker, Ozan Kabak, and Grischa Promel (all of whom have knee injuries) on the treatment table.
Although Haris Tabakovic has netted in consecutive games at PreZero Arena, he is not anticipated to start, with Matarazzo expected to go with Adam Hlozek and Marius Bulter up top.
St. Pauli will check on Connor Metcalfe (groin), although Blessin is not anticipated to have Soren Ahlers, Sascha Burchert (both have knee problems), Elias Saad (ankle), Ben Voll (fractured jaw) and Simon Zoller (thigh) available.
Jackson Irvine (three) and Johannes Eggestein (two) have created five big chances overall, and they hope to be as creative in Sinsheim this weekend.
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Akpoguma, Stach, N'Soki; Gendrey, Bischof, Grillitsch, Prass; Kramaric; Hlozek, Bulter
St Pauli possible starting lineup:
Vasilj; Wahl, Smith, Mets; Saliakas, Irvine, Boukhalfa, Treu; Sinani, Eggestein, Guilavogui
We say: Hoffenheim 2-0 St Pauli
With Saad missing for St. Pauli, the away side's already tricky visit to Hoffenheim just got doubly harder without their top scorer.
Despite the closeness in the table, the hosts should take care of business and notch a fourth consecutive home triumph in all competitions.
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