Hoffenheim will host an in-form St. Pauli side as they continue their quest for Champions League football.
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Hoffenheim and St. Pauli were in a similar battle last season since they were both part of the relegation battle. However, Christian Ilzer’s side are now fighting for a place in Europe’s premier competition.
Hoffenheim
A first home win over St. Pauli would go a long way for the Sinsheim side in achieving their dream. In the previous three meetings at PreZero Arena, St. Pauli managed to upset their guests with two draws and a win.
The story was different when they met in the reverse fixture, though. Three well-taken second-half goals secured a massive win at Millerntor for Hoffenheim, which started their first four-game winning streak of the season.
Hoffenheim were on the wrong end of a spectacular finish last week when Ragnar Ache’s acrobatic strike put them behind early against Köln. After an end-to-end second-half encounter, they did manage to salvage a draw.
St. Pauli
In addition to their excellent record at PreZero Arena, St. Pauli knocked out Hoffenheim from the DFB-Pokal on penalties back in October. The cup tie went in a very different direction from the 3-0 scoreline in the Bundesliga head-to-head fixture, which was only played nine days earlier.
Alexander Blessin’s side were in an abysmal league form back then, but they have now won back-to-back home games. The victories over Stuttgart and Werder Bremen also extended their unbeaten home record to five games.
Away from home, St. Pauli have only managed to collect five points this season, with their only win coming in the derby against Hamburger SV on matchday 2. However, their positive record at Hoffenheim could boost their confidence ahead of Saturday’s fixture.
Team News
Tim Lemperle has a slight chance of returning to the squad if he recovers in time from an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Bernardo will be available as he returns to full fitness. Borussia Dortmund loanee Cole Campbell could also make his debut for Hoffenheim.
St. Pauli’s January addition Tomoya Ando is a doubt with muscular issues, which could shake the team with versatile players filling different roles. Mathias Pereira Lage could be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup for his excellent cameo in the crucial win over Bremen.
Predicted Lineups
Hoffenheim: Baumann ©; Coufal, Hranac, Kabak, Hajdari; Avdullahu; Prömel, Burger; Kramaric, Asllani, Touré
St. Pauli: Vasilj; Dzwigala, Wahl, Mets; Saliakas, Irvine ©, Smith, Pyrka; Sinani, Fujita; Pereira Lage
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