Wolfsburg vs. Hoffenheim preview: Two clubs in need of a win
Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim will both be hoping to claim their first win of 2024 when they face off at the Volkswagen Arena on Sunday.
Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg boss Niko Kovac is under pressure to spark an upturn in fortunes following a poor run of form. Die Wölfe have won just one of their last seven league matches, with their most recent victory taking place against Darmstadt in December.
After losing to Bayern Munich in their final game of 2023, Wolfsburg went on to play out 1-1 draws in each of their three league matches in January. In their most recent outing against Köln, Kevin Paredes netted a 40th-minute equaliser to cancel out Faride Alidou’s opener. With Wolfsburg unable to find a winner in the second half, they had to settle for a share of the spoils, leaving them with one win from their last six home league matches.
Having picked up 22 points from 19 matches, Wolfsburg are currently sitting in the bottom half of the table. The 11th-placed side will be desperate to end their three-game winless home run in Sunday’s fixture. Having scored first in all four of their home league wins this season, the opening goal could be crucial if they are to pick up maximum points against Hoffenheim.
Team News
The hosts are expected to be without Patrick Wimmer, Lukas Nmecha, Tiago Tomas and Maxence Lacroix.
Hoffenheim
Like their hosts, Hoffenheim are also desperate to claim all three points after drawing two and losing three of their last five league matches. That poor run of form began with a 3-1 defeat to RB Leipzig, before Hoffenheim went on to draw 3-3 with Darmstadt. After suffering back-to-back defeats against Bayern Munich and Freiburg, Die Kraichgauer had to settle for a share of the spoils in their most recent outing against Heidenheim.
Andrej Kramarić converted his penalty in first-half stoppage to cancel out Heidenheim’s opener. Unfortunately for Pellegrino Matarazzo, his players were unable to find a winner in the second half, as Hoffenheim played out a third draw in four home matches (W1).
Hoffenheim, who currently occupy ninth position, will now turn their attention to Sunday’s away fixture. The visitors have struggled on the travels in recent times, having lost each of their last four away league matches. After conceding 11 goals across those four road trips, Hoffenheim will be looking to produce an improved defensive display at the Volkswagen Arena.
Team News
Finn Ole Becker, Mërgim Berisha, Marco John and Dennis Geiger are ruled out with injury issues. Florian Grillitsch will serve a one-match suspension, while Diadié Samassékou is on international duty.
