Hoffenheim vs. Wolfsburg preview: Can VfL continue hot form?
Jonas Wind is in search of his 5th goal in just three games on Saturday, as Wolfsburg travel south to face Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim
After a disappointing home loss against Freiburg to start the campaign, Hoffenheim came back in dramatic fashion to steal a win at Heidenheim on Matchday 2. They also added to their attack this week with the addition of Augsburg’s Mërgim Berisha.
It’s still to be seen whether the no. 9 duo of Ihlas Bebou and Wout Weghorst is going to work together up front. It won’t be an easy test this weekend as Hoffenheim return home needing to start consistently picking up points, or else Pellegrino Matarazzo's job will be in jeopardy.
Matarazzo commented, "Wolfsburg run and sprint a lot, they are compact and make it difficult for every opponent. We have to push ourselves to our maximum, that's the only way we can win on Saturday."
Team News
John Brooks is out and Pavel Kaderabek is doubtful. Kevin Akpoguma and Ozan Kabak are questionable with illnesses.
Wolfsburg
Off the back of four Jonas Wind goals, Wolfsburg have won their first two contests of the season. They’ve invested heavily in the transfer market this summer and have just signed striker Amin Sarr on loan from Lyon this week.
It’s a needed signing with the unfortunate news that Lukas Nmecha has undergone knee surgery and is out for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, Wind will be the focal point again on Saturday with in-form Koen Casteels in control at the back.
In his press conference, Niko Kovac stated, “We have a tough game ahead of us now. Last season, we had two close games against TSG. The team has great potential and I am convinced that they are better than the 12th place (finish) from last year.”
Team News
Despite being limited in training this week, it’s expected that Jonas Wind will start. Nmecha, Kilian Fischer, and Felix Lange are out.