Table of Contents
TSG Hoffenheim vs. RB Leipzig
On Wednesday evening, RB Leipzig experienced the highlight of the season so far. The Saxons qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League with a 4-0 away win at Shakhtar Donetsk. This was made possible by coach Marco Rose, who took over as head coach in his home town in September and put the Red Bulls back on the road to success.
But Rasenball is not only doing well in the top flight, things are also looking up in the Bundesliga. In the Bundesliga, Leipzig has to face TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday in the 13th matchday. Last weekend, RB won 2:0 against Leverkusen and will be looking for another win in Sinsheim. Of course, the hosts have the same goal, but they are winless since two games.
The home defeat against FC Bayern München was followed by a 1-1 draw in Cologne. The team of coach Andre Breitenreiter is capable of more, but still shows too little. What we think about the duel with the Saxon neighbours in the table, you can read now in our Hoffenheim – Leipzig betting tip.
Hoffenheim – Leipzig info:
– Date & Time: 05.11.2022, 15:30 Uhr
– Venue: PreZero Arena, Sinsheim
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 13
– TV broadcast: Sky
Hoffenheim Form & Balance Check
What to make of TSG Hoffenheim? On the one hand, coach Breitenreiter’s team have strong statistics to their name, such as conceding only 13 goals after twelve games – the best figure in eleven years. On the other hand, 1899 have only won one of their last five games. Only the game at Schalke (3:0 away win) was won by patron Hopp’s club. Hoffenheim also lost two home games in a row against Bremen (1:2) and Bayern (0:2). In Berlin at Hertha BSC and in Cologne it was only enough for a 1-1 draw. Nevertheless, the Champions League places are within sight with a four-point gap.
Chance conversion too weak
The main reason why 1899 have not won recently has been their failure to convert their chances. This is simply too weak and must be criticised even in the only victory of the last five games in Gelsenkirchen. Only three goals were scored from 17 shots. In the defeat against Bremen, the Sinsheim side also fired 17 shots, which is nine more than their opponents. The xGoals also confirm that Hoffenheim should have scored more goals. According to them, TSG should have scored 21 goals by now. However, coach Breitenreiter’s team only scored 18 goals.
Hoffenheim facts & analysis
– Hoffenheim are in 7th place in the table with 18 points.
– TSG last played only 1-1 draw at 1. FC Köln
– 1899 won only one of their last 5 matches
Leipzig form & balance check
The fact that RB Leipzig did everything right with the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco and the subsequent signing of Marco Rose was confirmed at the latest on Wednesday evening. Behind Real Madrid, the Saxons finished the group stage of the top flight with twelve of a possible 18 points and entered the round of the best 16 teams. They achieved this with a 4-0 victory over Donetsk in Warsaw, which was also their third competitive match win in a row.
After RB managed to inflict Real Madrid’s first defeat of the season with a 3-2 win the previous week, Rasenball won 2-0 over Leverkusen last weekend. In fact, the 3-3 draw on the penultimate matchday is the only one of the last seven competitive matches that Leipzig did not win. The Saxons are unbeaten in ten competitive matches.
System change leads to success
Marco Rose also confirmed that the 3-5-2 system played by predecessor Tedesco was simply not effective. This is reflected above all in Leipzig’s newly acquired offensive strength. RB scored an incredible 29 goals in the last ten games. Against Bochum, Hamburg and Donetsk, Rasenball even scored four times. The 1-1 draw in Mainz is the only one of the last ten games in which the Saxons scored only one goal. Looking at the Bundesliga, Leipzig scored 16 goals in seven appearances under Rose. Thus, RB scores on average a full 2.3 times per Bundesliga match since the change of coach.
Leipzig facts & analysis
– Leipzig are 6th in the table with 19 points.
– Most recently RB won 2-0 against Leverkusen
– Rasenball are unbeaten in ten competitive matches
Predicted line-up – last update on 3 November 2022
Against Leipzig, coach Breitenreiter will have to make a change in central defence as Kabak is suspended. Quaresma is expected to deputise for the Turk. In addition, Dabbur (shoulder injury), Bebou (knee problems), Asslani (torn ankle ligament), Philipp (finger injury) and Hübner (ankle ligament injury) are out injured. Systematically, TSG will go for a 3-5-2 system with high outside defenders. Skov and Angelino act as track players and support the offensive.
Under Marco Rose, RB Leipzig always play an attacking 4-3-3 system. Szoboszlai, Silva and Werner form the offensive trio and are additionally supported on the goal hunt by Nkunku coming from the ten position. But the Saxons also have to do without a suspended player. Henrichs is not allowed to play. However, the right-back recently lost his position to Simakan. Gulacsi (cruciate ligament tear), Klostermann (ankle syndesmosis injury) and Laimer (also ankle syndesmosis injury) are not available due to injury.
Hoffenheim – Leipzig direct comparison & Statistics
Due to the short time span in which both clubs have only played in the Bundesliga, there have only been a total of 13 duels. Of these, RB won seven and TSG three. However, this pairing was very even last season. Both teams won their respective home games to nil.
– David Raum (Leipzig) will meet his former employer for the first time.
– Nkunku (Leipzig) leads the scoring charts with nine goals.
– 13 goals conceded after twelve matchdays is the best figure for 1899 in eleven years.
– Hoffenheim have never lost two games in a row this Bundesliga season.
