Augsburg-Hoffenheim is a match on the 21st day of the Bundesliga and is played on Friday at 20:30: TV, line-ups, predictions.
It’s true, some have done worse so far. But Augsburg and Hoffenheim can by no means feel comfortable. Nor can they think they are sheltered by the handful of points that currently separate them from the relegation zone. Yes, because the risk of playing in next year’s Zweite Liga remains very high for both of them, especially if we take into account their not particularly exciting state of form.
Of the two, it is undoubtedly the Bavarian team that fares better, as they are more accustomed to such championships, struggling in the lower reaches of the table and constantly living with danger. The recent home victories against Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen, folded with the same result (1-0), are safe. Making the home factor count is indispensable for a team that has to maintain its category like the one coached by Enrico Maassen, who in the first part of the season had only won on one occasion in front of his own public. On the other hand, the away losing streak continues unabated: in 2023 away from the WWK Arena there were only defeats, in stark contrast to the trend before the World Cup break. The last one Augsburg suffered last Saturday in Mainz. The number of goals conceded away from home also rises dramatically: since the season resumed there are 10 in total.
Tension is also cutting into slices at home to Hoffenheim. The club from Sinsheim, built to try and fight for Europe, is one of the biggest disappointments so far.
Hoffenheim striker Dolberg’s exultation
The exoneration of Andre Breitenreiter has had no effect, at least for now. His replacement Pellegrino Matarazzo, who was in charge of Stuttgart until a few months ago, made his debut with an ugly defeat against Bayer Leverkusen (1-3), the fourth in the last five days of the Bundesliga. Hoffenheim are sinking, show no signs of recovery and now only have a two-point lead over third-last-placed Hertha Berlin.
The prediction
Hoffenheim’s winless streak, now at ten, looks set to continue at home to Augsburg, who are unbeaten in their last two home games. The hosts should avoid defeat in a match in which both teams are likely to score. A draw cannot be ruled out.
The Augsburg-Hoffenheim line-up in the unlikely event.
- AUGSBURG (4-4-2): Gikiewicz; Gumny, Gouweleeuw, Uduokhai, Pedersen; Maier, Engels, Rexhbecaj, Demirovic; Beljo, Berisha.
- HOFFENHEIM (3-4-1-2): Baumann; Kabak, Vogt, Brooks; Kaderabek, Rudy, Delaney, Angelino; Baumgartner; Bebou, Kramaric.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
