Hoffenheim vs. Wolfsburg preview: Ilzer searching for second win | OneFootball

Hoffenheim

Ilzer has been unable to spark an upturn in fortunes since he took over the reins from Matarazzo in November. The Hoffenheim boss may have started his tenure with a 3-2 win over RB Leipzig, but he has failed to add to that victory in his previous seven competitive matches in charge. Hoffenheim lost three consecutive games in all competitions, before they played out league draws with Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund, either side of a goalless affair with FCSB in the Europa League. Unfortunately for die Kraichgauer, that run of draws was ended by a defeat rather than a victory in their home meeting with Borussia Mönchengladbach. Philipp Sander and Alassane Pléa grabbed a goal apiece to condemn Hoffenheim to their fourth home defeat of the season.

As a result of that loss, Hoffenheim went into the winter break in 15th position, with four points separating them from the bottom three. Die Kraichgauer will be hoping to extend that gap by claiming their third home league win of the season in Saturday’s clash with Wolfsburg. The hosts will be looking for revenge after suffering a heavy 3-0 loss when the two sides met in December’s DFB-Pokal tie in December.

Team News

Hoffenheim are having to cope without the services of Grischa Prömel, Ihlas Bebou, Umut Tohumcu, Marius Bülter, Ozan Kabak and Christopher Lenz.

Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg start the new year in 11th position after winning six, drawing three and losing six of their 15 league matches. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side may have been relieved with the timing of the winter break after they failed to take anything from their final two matches of 2024. A run of five straight competitive victories was ended by a narrow 3-2 defeat against Freiburg, before they slumped to a 3-1 loss in their home meeting with Borussia Dortmund.

Die Wölfe will be pleased with the fact they are the league’s fourth-highest scorers with 32 goals to their name this season. However, they have work to do at the opposite end of the pitch, having conceded 28 Bundesliga goals this term, leaving them with the joint fifth-worst defensive record alongside Saturday’s opponents.

Wolfsburg can draw inspiration from their encouraging record on the road, having won four, drawn one and lost two of their seven away top-flight matches. Impressively, die Wölfe has scored at least two goals in six of those seven outings, suggesting that Saturday’s clash could be an exciting affair.

Team News

The visitors are unable to call upon Lovro Majer, Rogério, Bartosz Białek, Kevin Paredes and Aster Vranckx.