Hoffenheim v Hamburg SV Prediction and Preview – 23/10/15
Bundesliga preview – Hoffenheim v Hamburg SV prediction
Hoffenheim manager has Jonathan Schmid available for a starting role on the left wing with Steven Zuber ruled out. In attack Eduardo Vargas’ pace is likely to give him the edge over Kevin Kuranyi and Mark Uth as Markus Gisdol looks for a win. Sebastian Rudy will work from number 10 with Kevin Volland attacking from the right hand side.
Hamburg will have to assess Marcelo Diaz who is a doubt with a calf injury which should mean Albin Ekdal and Lewis Holtby play in central midfield again. Pierre-Michel Lasogga will start up front with support from Ivo Ilicevic who will play from the left with Holtby playing a deeper role. Aaron Hunt is out so Michael Gregoritsch will come in behind Lasogga in attacking midfield.
Possible Line-ups
Hoffenheim: 4-2-3-1 formation: Baumann; Toljan, Sule, Bicakcic, Kim;Strobl, Polanski; Volland, Rudy, Schmid; Vargas
Hamburg: 4-2-3-1 formation: Drobny; Diekmeir, Djourou, Spahic, Ostrzolek; Ekdal, Holtby; Muller, Gregoritsch, Ilicevic; Lasogga
Statistics
Last 10 matches:
- Hoffenheim have won 1, drawn 3 and lost 6
- Hamburg have won 5, drawn 2 and lost 3
Over the course of their previous 10 matches:
- Hoffenheim have scored an average of 1.2 goal and conceded an average of 2goals per game
- Hamburg have scored an average of 1.5 goals and conceded an average of 0.9 goals per game
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in:
- 7 of Hoffenheim’s previous 10 matches
- 6 of Hamburg’s previous 10 matches
Hoffenheim won this fixture last season 3-0 while the return fixture at Hamburg finished 1-1.
Prediction
Hoffenheim’s season has been a disappointment, currently they sit 17th in the table after only one win and five defeats. The 4-2 defeat at Wolfsburg last weekend just continued to build the pressure on the team. Hoffenheim have drawn their last two home games but games like this against Hamburg are the types of fixture that they need to be taking all three points from.
Hamburg secured a commendable point at home to Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. The nil nil showed how resolute they can be in defence but it is in front of goal that they may be slightly concerned. Hamburg on their travels are hit and miss with two wins and two defeats, however in this fixture I expect Hamburg to try and keep the game tight and build on their league position, 12th.
Hoffenheim will need to get their season under way and this fixture provides a great opportunity for a win. Eduardo Vargas’ pace could be the difference between both sides.
Tips
Both Teams to score 1st half: No and 2nd half: No at 8/11 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Hoffenheim to win and both teams to score at 11/4 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Eduardo Vargas to score 2 goals plus at 10/1 – Click here to bet with Bet365
What are your predictions?