Hoffenheim vs. Lyon preview: Team news & predicted lineups

After a much-needed 2-1 win over fellow Bundesliga strugglers Borussia Mönchengladbach ended their four-game losing streak at the weekend, TSG Hoffenheim will be looking to build on that result when they face Olympique Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday.

Die Kraichgauer desperately need points in the Europa League, having lost 2-0 to both OFI and Besiktas in their first two games in the competition this season.

By contrast, Lyon have won both of their Europa League encounters so far, beating Anderlecht 2-1 away from home before edging Crystal Palace 3-2 on home soil.

Paulo Fonseca's side have also impressed domestically, maintaining top spot on goal difference ahead of Paris Saint-Germain with a 2-1 win over OGC Nice at the weekend.

The two teams also met in the Europa League in 2024, playing out a 2-2 draw in a game that saw Umut Tohumcu rescue a point for Hoffenheim with a late equaliser in injury time.

Team news and predicted lineups:

TSG Hoffenheim will have to manage without Nathan de Cat, Albian Hajdari and Patrick Wimmer, who are all injured.

Head coach Christian Ilzer could rotate his side, as he has done in Europe earlier this season, with Kicker speculating that Valentin Gendrey could be handed his first start of the campaign at right-back at the expense of veteran Vladimir Coufal.

Further forward, veteran striker Andrej Kramarić is among those likely to come into the starting lineup, having played a more marginal role this season and been limited to just 12 minutes against Gladbach at the weekend.

As for Lyon, Paulo Fonseca is also likely to make some changes to his side, having similarly rotated his squad in Europe this season. Loïs Openda, Mohamadi Ouedraogo and Nicolás Tagliafico are set to miss out through injury for the visitors.

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