Hoffenheim on Top Four Charge
The Bundesliga actions starts on Friday night this week and there is a huge game at the WIRSOL Rhein Neckar Arena as Hoffenheim meet Hannover 96.
This match presents a big opportunity for Hoffenheim to move into the top four ahead of the Saturday and Sunday games and they could displace Bayer Leverkusen in fourth place. A win would also seem them move within just 4 points of second place.
Hannover 96 are currently 6 points clear of the relegation playoff place but are by no means safe. However, with three games remaining in the Bundesliga this season, they know a win should be good enough for them to remain in the Bundesliga for next season.
Hoffenheim come into this match having enjoyed a thumping 5-2 victory at RB Leipzig last weekend. RB Leipzig were above Hoffenheim prior to that match and it was an incredible victory and a potentially important boost to their goal difference.
Trends show Hoffenheim are undefeated in their last eight league games and this form has seen them move into Champions League contention. At home they are undefeated in eighteen of their last twenty league games and have won by 2 more goals in five of their last seven.
Hoffenheim have been good defensively in recent home matches and have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three in the Bundesliga. Given their recent goal scoring exploits, a clean sheet in this match would surely be enough to see them win the match.
Hannover 96 have been struggling in the Bundesliga recently and trends show they have won only one of their last nine matches. Following the 2-1 win over Freiburg on the 10th February, Hannover 96 have picked up just a single victory, which was another 2-1 win, this time at home to Werder Bremen.
Hannover 96 have lost six of their last eight league games and have picked up just one away win in their previous fifteen attempts in all competitions. Following the winter break in the Bundesliga, Hannover have failed to win on the road and have conceded exactly one goal in each of their six matches.
The main problem has come with scoring goals and Hannover 96 have scored 4 goals in their last six away league games.
Looking ahead to the team news and Hoffenheim will be without midfielders Dennis Geiger and Florian Grillitsch, with the former injured and the latter suspended. Every other player should be available for Julian Nagelsmann.
Hannover 96 travel without Felipe, Waldemar Anton and Jonathas who are all injured. Felix Klaus returns from suspension and Edgar Prib is back in training but this match may come too soon for the Hannover 96 captain.
While Hannover 96 are not in great form, they have not been easy to beat on the road and will make Hoffenheim work for the win. However, Hoffenheim seem to have found the perfect blend of defence and attack in recent home games and should take maximum points.
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