RB Leipzig – TSG Hoffenheim
On this 15th matchday of the Bundesliga, there are once again some groundbreaking games on the schedule. The clash between the Leipzig Bulls and TSG Hoffenheim will take place on Saturday evening. The match is undoubtedly one of the top games this weekend, with important points at stake in terms of international places. The two teams are separated by just six points and both are looking for another win before the winter break so they can relax and enjoy the festive period. Find out who will win this game and who will go home empty-handed in our Leipzig – Hoffenheim betting tip.
Leipzig had to deal with their compulsory task in the Champions League during the week and won 2:1 against Young Boys from Bern. They will continue in the top flight after the winter break. In the Bundesliga, they have been involved in an exciting duel with several other contenders in the battle for pole position for next year’s Champions League qualification places for weeks.
Hoffenheim are not far behind the Bulls and have had the whole week to prepare for the match in the best possible way. With their victory on the last matchday, they were able to consolidate their current sixth place in the table and have the teams ahead of them clearly in their sights.
Leipzig – Hoffenheim info
- Date & Time: 16.12.2023, 18:30 hrs.
- Venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 15
- TV broadcast: Sky
Leipzig Form & Balance Check
Leipzig are on a small wave of success with three wins in a row recently. The 3:2 away win at direct rivals Borussia Dortmund on the last matchday was particularly important, securing fourth place for the Bulls. The win allowed Leipzig to build up a slight buffer on BVB and move four points clear of them.
In addition to the clash with TSG on Saturday evening, the Saxons also have a game in Bremen on the last matchday before the winter break. Should coach Marko Rose’s team collect a few more points, they could not only consolidate their Champions League qualification place, but also have a say in the championship battle
B-Elf without Werner
In the Champions League clash against Bern, coach Rose fielded a B-team due to the fact that the team had already qualified for the round of 16 in order to give some players who would otherwise hardly get any playing time the opportunity to show what they can do. It was noticeable that striker Timo Werner initially found no place in this formation either, and appeared to be behind players such as Benjamon Šeško and Fabio Carvalho in the pecking order.
Werner was only substituted midway through the 2nd half, but was unable to make his mark on the game. The striker should certainly not be satisfied with his current role and the rumor mill around a possible transfer is boiling
Leipzig facts & analysis
- Last three wins in a row
- Goal ratio of 34:15
- Seven points off the top of the table
Hoffenheim Form & Balance Check
Hoffenheim were finally able to end their negative streak with their win against Bochum last week. Prior to that, the Kraichgauers had not won in five games and, in addition to defeats against Gladbach and Leverkusen, were also knocked out of the DFB Cup against BVB. TSG are currently in sixth place, two points ahead of seventh-placed Frankfurt.
With a little more consistency, Hoffenheim would be even closer to the Champions League places. They are currently six points behind RB in fourth place. It would therefore be all the more important for coach Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team to pick up at least one point in Leipzig to prevent the gap from widening.
Striker duo threatened with retirement
The Hoffenheim attacking duo of Wout Weghorst and Maximilian Beier have established themselves with good performances this season. Together, the pair have already scored eleven goals and provided six assists. Both players are now in danger of missing the clash against Leipzig, as Weghorst tore a muscle fiber in the match against VfL Bochum and will no longer be available before the winter break.
Beier was already absent against Bochum due to illness and is still recovering from flu. However, there is still hope of a speedy recovery for him, as he has already completed light running sessions during the week. Should Beier not be fit in time, Ihlias Bebou, who scored his first goal of the season in Bochum after coming on as a substitute, will be available
Hoffenheim facts & analysis
- Only one win from the last five games
- Sixth place in the table
- Six points behind Leipzig
Predicted line-up – last update on December 14, 2023
While coach Rose gave some players a rest in the clash with Bern, we expect to see the full line-up again against TSG. Xavi Simons and top scorer Loïs Openda should be back in the starting line-up in the 3-5-2 system. We also expect David Raum, Xavier Schlager and Kevin Kampl back in the first eleven.
TSG will play in a 4-4-2 formation and will be without their regular attacking duo. Bebou will replace the injured Weghorst in the starting eleven. Marius Bülter will also start in place of the injured Beier
Leipzig – Hoffenheim head-to-head & stats
The two teams have met 16 times in their history. Leipzig have won significantly more often with 10 games. Hoffenheim have only won three games and the two teams have drawn three times. The teams have met twice in the DFB Cup, with TSG coming unstuck against Leipzig in both matches. The first match was a 2:2 draw in 2016, while Leipzig won the last encounter 1:0 on matchday 30 of the previous season
- Leipzig won significantly more often than TSG
- Hoffenheim’s last win was in 2021
- Goal ratio of 27:19 from Leipzig’s point of view
