Hoffenheim vs. Leipzig preview: The Christian Ilzer era starts now
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Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim have experienced a disappointing start to the season, having won two, drawn three and lost five of their 10 matches. Those results have left Hoffenheim hovering above the bottom three, with just a single point separating them from 16th-placed St. Pauli. As a result of their perilous position, the Hoffenheim hierarchy opted to dismiss Pellegrino Matarazzo following a goalless draw with Augsburg.
Die Kraichgauer moved swiftly to appoint Christian Ilzer, who left his post at Sturm Graz to become Hoffenheim’s new head coach. Ilzer's first task will be to help Hoffenheim rediscover their goalscoring touch after failing to trouble the scorers in their last three matches. However, Saturday’s hosts may find it difficult to breach a Leipzig backline that currently boasts the best defensive record in the Bundesliga with just five goals conceded in 10 games.
With that in mind, Hoffenheim may need to produce something special if they are to claim their first victory over Leipzig since November 2021.
Team News
Ihlas Bebou, Ozan Kabak and Grischa Prömel are all sidelined with knee injuries. Meanwhile, Christopher Lenz is ruled out due to a calf issue.
RB Leipzig
Leipzig may have been relieved by the timing of the international break even though they are sitting in second place in the table. Die Roten Bullen began November with away defeats against Borussia Dortmund and Celtic in the Bundesliga and Champions League respectively. They had to settle for a goalless draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach in their final outing before the international window.
They would have at least been pleased with the fact that the Gladbach draw extended their unbeaten home run to 12 league matches. Leipzig also boast a promising record on the road, having won three, drawn one and lost one of their five Bundesliga away games this season. After keeping clean sheets in three of those matches, Marco Rose’s side will be targeting another strong defensive display in Saturday’s away trip.
Leipzig have won five of their last six games against Hoffenheim, although they had to settle for a point in their most recent meeting in May.
Team News
The visitors recently revealed that Yussuf Poulsen and El Chadailla Bitshiabu will be out for several weeks due to muscular injuries. Leipzig are also without the services of Eljif Elmas, Xavi Simon, Xaver Schlager and David Raum.
