Hoffenheim vs. Lyon preview: Team news and predicted lineups
| Photo: Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images |
TSG Hoffenheim will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 0-2 defeat against St. Pauli when they host Olympique Lyon in the Europa League at home on Thursday.
This season has been a mixed bag for Hoffenheim so far, with head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo coming in for plenty of criticism for his side's performances and inconsistencies.
In the Europa League, Matarazzo's side have picked up an acceptable four points from three games so far.
Their French opponents, Lyon, have picked up two points more in the Europa League, but their form hasn't exactly been on the up, with no wins in their last three games.
Most recently, a late goal from Laick Fofana salvaged a point in a 1-1 draw with Lille, leaving Lyon sixth in the French Ligue 1 standings.
Matarazzo and Hoffenheim will again be without Ihlas Bebou, Finn Ole Becker, Ozan Kabak, Grischa Prömel and Dennis Geiger.
The TSG coach is expected to make changes to the team that lost to St. Pauli, with Kevin Akpoguma, Pavel Kaderabek and Haris Tabakovic among those who could come into the starting eleven.
For the visitors, Ernest Nuamah could be back in contention after returning to training on Monday. Mahamadou Diawara is also making progress in his recovery, but Thursday's game could come too soon for him. Gift Orban is unlikely to feature after being left out of the squad to face Lille following a social media post that brought him into disfavor.
Click here to see our predicted Hoffenheim vs. Lyon lineups.