Hoffenheim vs St. Pauli preview: Huge bottom-half clash in Sinsheim
Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim face the risk of slipping into the relegation playoff spot if they suffer a three-goal defeat this weekend, a scenario that’s unlikely but underscores their underwhelming start to the season.
After finishing seventh last season, Die Kraichgauer have only managed two Bundesliga wins so far, home victories over newly promoted Holstein Kiel (3-2) and VfL Bochum (3-1), and now aim to deliver another strong performance for their fans.
Balancing the demands of the Europa League and domestic play has been challenging, though recent results hint at a possible rebound.
Pellegrino Matarazzo's squad endured a tough stretch of four straight Bundesliga defeats, finally breaking the streak with a hard-fought point at Stuttgart in early October, a match they led until Stuttgart's late equaliser.
While Hoffenheim fell to Porto in Europa League action last week, recent domestic results suggest an improvement: a league win over Bochum, a draw at Heidenheim, and a 2-1 DFB-Pokal victory over Nurnberg during the week.
They now seek a fourth consecutive home win, eager to extend their momentum against a St. Pauli team still finding its rhythm after a 13-year absence from the Bundesliga.
Team News
Dennis Geiger is doubtful for Hoffenheim with a back issue and could join several others on the injury list, including Christopher Lenz (calf) and Ihlas Bebou, Finn Ole Becker, Ozan Kabak, and Grischa Prömel (all sidelined with knee injuries).
Despite Haris Tabakovic scoring in back-to-back games at PreZero Arena, Matarazzo is likely to start with Adam Hlozek and Marius Bülter leading the attack.
St. Pauli
St. Pauli have found the Bundesliga transition tough, with five losses in their first eight matches and an equal number of games without scoring, including three defeats within that span.
Adapting to the top flight has been challenging, particularly under new manager Alexander Blessin, who stepped in after Fabian Hürzeler’s departure to Brighton following St. Pauli’s second-division title win.
Blessin now faces the task of solving the team’s scoring woes if they are to climb out of the bottom three. With only five goals this season, a league-low, they trail two behind Bochum and four behind fourth-bottom Union Berlin, a gap they’re eager to close this weekend.
Though their sole victory came in an emphatic 3-0 win at Freiburg, three away defeats highlight St. Pauli's struggles on the road, dampening expectations as they prepare to face Hoffenheim.
Team News
St. Pauli will monitor Connor Metcalfe’s groin issue, but Alexander Blessin is unlikely to have Soren Ahlers, Sascha Burchert (both out with knee injuries), Elias Saad (ankle), Ben Voll (jaw fracture), and Simon Zoller (thigh).
Jackson Irvine and Johannes Eggestein, with a combined five big chances created, will aim to bring the same playmaking spark to Sinsheim this weekend.