SC Paderborn vs. TSG Hoffenheim preview: Hosts search for first Bundesliga goal
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Paderborn
Three games into their return to the Bundesliga, Paderborn are still waiting for both their first victory and their first goal.
Ralf Kettemann's side began the campaign positively with a goalless draw away at Mainz, before suffering narrow disappointment in their first home game back in the top flight as Freiburg claimed a 1-0 victory.
Their toughest test arrived last weekend, with Borussia Dortmund running out 3-0 winners at Signal Iduna Park thanks to Fabio Silva's opener and a late Felix Nmecha brace.
Paderborn have nevertheless created opportunities, registering 33 attempts across their opening three Bundesliga games, but have so far been unable to make one count.
Their wait for a top-flight victory now stretches to 18 matches dating back to January 2020.
The last Bundesliga meeting between the sides in Paderborn came during that 2019/20 campaign and ended 1-1, while Hoffenheim remain unbeaten across all six top-flight meetings with the East Westphalian club.
Team news
Nyamekye Awortwie-Grant, Timur Gayret and Sebastian Klaas are all expected to miss Sunday's fixture.
Lasse Eickel and Sven Michel are also considered doubtful, with back and groin problems respectively.
Kettemann could turn to Rayan Philippe alongside Marvin Pieringer as Paderborn look to finally break their Bundesliga scoring duck.
Click here to see our predicted Paderborn lineup
Hoffenheim
After finally getting their Bundesliga campaign up and running last weekend, Hoffenheim head to Paderborn seeking an immediate response to their European disappointment.
Christian Ilzer's side lost their first two league matches 3-2 against Köln and Borussia Dortmund, despite showing plenty of promising signs going forward.
Their first points eventually arrived against Baden-Württemberg rivals Stuttgart last Saturday, with Adam Hlozek proving to be the difference-maker, scoring twice as Hoffenheim secured a 2-1 victory at the SNP Arena.
However, their momentum was halted on Thursday evening as Hoffenheim suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to OFI Crete in their opening Europa League league-phase fixture.
Ilzer's side created several opportunities but were punished by a clinical home team, leaving captain Oliver Baumann to admit afterwards that their opponents had simply "wanted it more".
With just three days between the trip to Crete and Sunday's Bundesliga fixture, rotation could therefore become a factor.
Team news
Hoffenheim have an otherwise healthy squad available, with Alexander Prass the only player currently listed as doubtful due to a muscular problem.
That gives Ilzer plenty of scope to freshen up his starting XI following Thursday night's European fixture, with the likes of Andrej Kramaric and Fisnik Asllani among the alternatives available in attack.
