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TSG Hoffenheim vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach
The last matchday of the first leg in the Bundesliga is coming up this weekend and with Hoffenheim, one of the in-form teams in the league welcomes Gladbach, who have lost four in a row lately and are only one point ahead of the relegation place. Borussia’s form raises many questions and the team and coach continue to come under criticism after the defeat against Frankfurt on Wednesday. TSG, on the other hand, showed morale during the week, coming back from 2-0 down at Leverkusen late on to claim a point.
This means they have picked up 13 of the last 15 possible points and remain in 4th place in the table. With a win on Saturday against the team from the Niederrhein, they could finish the first half of the season with 30 points and a Champions League place. If things go very bitterly for Borussia, they could finish the winter in the relegation place. Find out what we think about the match in this Hoffenheim – Gladbach betting tip.
Hoffenheim – Gladbach Info
– Date & Time: 18.12.2021, 15:30 Uhr
– Venue: PreZero-Arena (Sinsheim)
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 17
– TV broadcast: Live on Sky Sport
Hoffenheim Form & Balance Check
Few would have thought that TSG would pick up so much towards the end of the year. With 16 points from the last 7 games, Hoffenheim have established themselves at the top and will most likely spend the winter in a Champions League spot. Above all, the great variability in attack has been the key to success. There is not one top scorer, but many different ones, who always take it in turns to score big. Just last week, substitutes Dabbur and Stiller saved the team a point in Leverkusen and the week before, it was Richards with the lucky punch in injury time.
Can Hoffenheim also convince in the second half of the season?
The important thing now will be to confirm this form in the second half of the season. The squad is actually too good for mid-table and 11th place last season was not Hoffenheim’s aspiration. The consistency and the balance between defence and attack was not right last year, that is different in the current season. The defence is still not completely solid, but above all the forward play is much more determined and consistent and accordingly it is quite possible that TSG will reach the international competition at the end of the season.
Hoffenheim facts & analysis
– Unbeaten for 5 matches
– In the last 5 games Hoffenheim have always scored at least 2 goals
– They have won 4 competitive games in a row at home
Gladbach form & balance check
What is going on with Borussia in the past weeks and months? After the false start was digested and actually overcome, the team completely collapsed after the victory over Greuther Fürth. This was followed by 4 defeats in a row and a total of 17 goals conceded, i.e. an average of more than 4 goals conceded per game. Above all, the defeats against Cologne (1:4) and Freiburg (0:6) were the straw that broke the camel’s back. Slowly, those in charge are losing their cool and Max Eberl has repeatedly criticised the team in public.
Is Gladbach facing a relegation battle?
At the moment, the eleven from the Lower Rhine is in 13th place with 18 points, one point ahead of the relegation place and a goal difference of -10. Meanwhile, Gladbach has the third weakest defence in the league and concedes almost 2 goals per game on average. Individually, almost no player reaches his top level and in every game Gladbach commit various individual mistakes that lead to goals conceded. The best example is Zakaria’s ball loss before Eintracht’s equaliser on Wednesday night. If it continues like this, Gladbach will have to make friends with the relegation battle.
Gladbach facts & analysis
– Lost 4 games in a row
– Only one point ahead of 16th place
– After 16 games Gladbach have already lost eight times
– They were in 8th place at this time last season
Predicted line-up – last update on 16 December 2021
Sebastian Hoeneß is currently spoilt for choice and has a number of players offering good performances. Dabbur and Stiller are options after their goals in Leverkusen. Geiger and Kaderabek, who had to sit out recently, will almost certainly return. For Gladbach, Hütter is forced to replace Koné as the midfielder is missing due to suspension. Stindl is also expected to return after his suspension. If Elvedi is fit again, Hütter could return to a back four and start with two sixes.
Hoffenheim – Gladbach direct comparison & statistics
The direct comparison between the two is extremely even and in a total of 26 Bundesliga games, Hoffenheim have won 9 and Gladbach 7 times. A full 10 direct duels ended in a draw. We are curious to see who will come out on top on Saturday.
Last season Hoffenheim won both games against Gladbach (3:2 and 2:1).
– On average, just under 3.5 goals are scored per game when the two meet
– Patrick Herrmann has already scored 5 goals against TSG
