Augsburg vs. Hoffenheim preview: Guests hoping to exit relegation zone

Augsburg

Jess Thorup's Fuggerstädter have exhibited strong home form this season, scoring at least two goals in each match at the WWK Arena. In total, they've picked up 10 of a possible 15 points. In their most recent home league fixture, an Alexis Claude-Maurice brace enabled them to upset Dortmund. Augsburg also took out Schalke in the Pokal without too much fuss, meaning that they enter this game rolling on three consecutive home wins on-the-bounce.

Hoffenheim have nevertheless consistently proved to be a thorn in the team's side. In 26 previous league meetings, the Sinsheimers have won 15 times. The guests have beaten no other team in the top flight more than Augsburg. Hoffenheim also maintain their best overall goal differential against the FCA. In something of a staggering fact, Hoffenheim have kept ten clean sheets against their Sunday opponents. 

Team news:

Elvis Rexhbecaj's suspension means that trainer Thorup must replace a player who has started all nine league fixtures. One potential replacement, Tim Breithaupt, suffered a bone splinter in his foot during the training week and will not be available. Former Germany U21 Arne Maier seems the most likely replacement for Rexhbecaj, but Thorup could also switch to a two-striker-set as he has plenty of forward options on his roster. 

Samuel Essende (two league goals this season) and Yussuf Kabadayi (one league goal) constitute alternatives. At a Friday presser, Thorup specifically praised the work of striker Steve Mounie. The 30-year-old Benin international has always been one of Thorup's favorites and did earn one start in a round six fixture against Gladbach this year.

Hoffenheim

The Rhine-Neckar club has certainly done a fabulous job pulling themselves out of the chaos that engulfed them at the beginning of the season, yet still must begin picking up points in the league should they wish to pull themselves out of the relegation conversation. Head-coach Pellegrino Matarazzo lost patience with all the talk of "crucial matches" and "key fixtures" when conducting a post-match interview on Thursday night.

Success in the Europa League and German domestic cup nevertheless doesn't excuse the fact that just two league wins (against bottom dwellers Bochum and Kiel) leave the team with a lot to prove against Bundesliga opponents. The squad looked languidly in last week's loss against newly promoted St. Pauli. No other team has attempted fewer sprints in the league than Hoffenheim. 

Team news:

Matarazzo has been open about the fact that he's not pleased with striker Adam Hlozek's performances thus far this year.Max Moerstadt got the nod over Hlozek in Thursday's Europa League draw. Haris Tabakovic might start alongside Marius Bülter in attack. The TSG trainer might even give Mërgim Berisha a chance to work against his former club.

Click here to see our predicted Augsburg vs. Hoffenheim lineups.