Preview: Wolfsburg vs. Hoffenheim - prediction, team news, lineups
by Brett Curtis
Wolfsburg host Hoffenheim on Sunday as the 2020-21 Bundesliga continues, with the two sides separated by a single point and place in the table.
The hosts are one of only two sides left unbeaten in the German top flight, having drawn five of their opening six matches, while Hoffenheim are without a win since beating Bayern Munich prior to the international break.
Match preview
It has been a curious start to the season for Oliver Glasner's side. Not many sides in recent history can have remained unbeaten after six games yet occupy a place in the bottom half of the table, but that is where Wolfsburg find themselves having only won once all season.
That win came against Arminia Bielefeld a couple of weeks ago, but was promptly followed up with another draw at Bruno Labbadia's Hertha Berlin last weekend. Glasner replaced his opponent as Wolfsburg boss in 2018, despite Labbadia leading the club to a Europa League qualification position, so both managers would have been desperate to get one over on each other.
Matheus Cunha's strike from outside the area somehow squeezed inside the post despite the Brazilian forward slipping as he struck the ball, before Bote Riedle Baku's ferocious left footed strike restored parity in the game. Labbadia looked like he would have the last laugh when his side were awarded a penalty, with Wout Weghorst's high foot adjudged to have been dangerous, however it was overturned after a VAR check.
Weghorst could have won the match for his side with a header late in the match, but sent it harmlessly wide. Glasner could certainly do with his striker rediscovering his form from last season, when only Robert Lewandowski, Timo Werner and Jadon Sancho scored more Bundesliga goals than the Dutchman.
© Sebastian Hoeness (Reuters)
Since stunning the world by beating Bayern 4-1 prior to the international break, Hoffenheim have taken just one point from four league games to slide to 12th in the table.
That downturn in form has directly correlated with the absence of striker Andrej Kramaric, who tested positive for coronavirus during the last international break and has not featured since.
Sebastian Hoeness's side were hugely disappointing in a 3-1 home defeat to Union Berlin last weekend, with Robert Skov sent off early in the second half for pulling back Sebastian Griesbeck as he was about to shoot at goal inside the penalty area. Max Kruse continued his run of having never missed a Bundesliga penalty, scoring his 15th to move two behind the record, before Munas Dabbur made amends for some profligate finishing in the first half by clinically firing into the roof of the net to level the match.
However, the man disadvantage told, with Kruse instrumental in all of Union Berlin's goals as they sealed the three points late in the match.
Hoeness can at least point to a perfect record in his side's Europa League campaign, with Thursday's 5-0 victory over Slovan Liberec their third win from three matches as they look to have one foot already in the knockout stages.
Wolfsburg Bundesliga form: DDDDWD
Wolfsburg form (all competitions): DLDDWD
Hoffenheim Bundesliga form: WWLLDL
Hoffenheim form (all competitions): LWDWLW
Team News
© ReutersGlasner remains without William da Silva (cruciate ligament), Kevin Mbabu (ligament), Joshua Guilavogui (torn muscle) and Paulo Otavio (muscle) for the visit of Hoffenheim.
Admir Mehmedi may return to the starting XI having only featured off the bench in the draw at Hertha.
Hoeness is without a host of players, too, with captain Benjamin Hubner still out with a tear in a joint. Dennis Geiger (fractured hand), Kostas Stafylidis (shoulder), Ermin Bicakcic (cruciate ligament), Kasim Adams (fitness) and Stefan Posch (ankle ligament) are all unavailable, too, as is Skov after his red card last week.
Hoffenheim fans will be particularly anxious to see whether Kramaric returns to the squad for the first time since scoring twice in the win against Bayern prior to the international break. It seems likely he is being rested until after the forthcoming one, though.
Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
1 Casteels [k];
20 Baku 4 Lacroix 25 Brooks 15 Roussillon;
24 Schlager 31 Gerhardt;
8 Steffen 17 Philipp 14 Mehmedi;
Weghorst
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
1 Baumann [k];
6 Nordtveit 22 Vogt 25 Akpoguma;
16 Rudy 11 Grillitsch 18 Samassekou 20 Gacinovic 17 Sessegnon;
19 Belfodil 10 Dabbur
WOLFSBURG News
- Coach Oliver Glasner has to contend with a few injury headaches, with skipper Josuha Guilavogui, a key cog in the works, struggling with a thigh injury.
- Kevin Mbabu has a knee injury while William is still on his way back from an ACL injury.
- However, at least goalkeeper Koen Casteels has shaken off a knee injury and the versatile Ridle Baku has impressed since joining from bottom club Mainz.
- Defender Marin Pongracic is over his bout of glandular fever and Josip Brekalo is available again after his encounter with COVID-19.
- Joao Victor could return to the squad after overcoming adductor issues, while Renato Steffen has also recovered from COVID-19.
HOFFENHEIM News
- Head coach Sebastian Hoeness will have to rotate where possible after Europa League action on Thursday.
- But Hoeness will have to make do without Robert Skov who was sent off as a sub on Monday against Union Berlin. Ryan Sessegnon, on loan from Spurs, may play at left-back.
- Stefan Posch also picked up an ankle injury in that Bundesliga defeat and is out for a couple of weeks.
- Dennis Geiger has suffered a hand fracture and is also missing.
- Star forward Andrej Kramaric and Kasim Adams could both return after encounters with COVID-19, while Pavel Kaderábek might also be an option after quarantine.
- Former German international Sebastian Rudy has rejoined for a third spell, this time on loan from Schalke 04.
- Skipper Benjamin Hübner has been missed through injury, while Ermin Bicakcic suffered ACL damage and will not play again this year.
- Havard Nordtveit is fit again after a broken foot, while Konstantinos Stafylidis underwent a shoulder operation.
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