VfB Stuttgart – TSG Hoffenheim
The 34th matchday of the Bundesliga was more exciting than ever last season. Immense significance resonated in every match. This also applies to the duel between VfB Stuttgart and TSG Hoffenheim. The host had to deal with relegation as a result of the 1-1 draw in this encounter, while the Kraichgauer ended the season in twelfth place in the table. This weekend, on matchday 9, this duel is once again on the agenda.
However, the signs in Swabia are completely different on Saturday. Both teams have not been in the bottom of the table so far this season, but are fighting for Europe. The visitors from Hoffenheim have had a more than solid start to the season so far and are currently in 6th place, although TSG lost 3-1 to Frankfurt the previous week.
For the hosts from Stuttgart, however, the turnaround this season has been many times greater. The Stuttgart team is currently in second place in the table and has developed into a real top team. The Swabians have only conceded one defeat so far and have picked up an outstanding 21 points from their first eight games. Find out whether VfB will secure three points again on Saturday in our Stuttgart – Hoffenheim tip.
Stuttgart – Hoffenheim info:
- Date & Time: 10/28/2023, 3:30 pm.
- Game venue: MHP-Arena, Stuttgart
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 9.
- TV broadcast: Sky
Stuttgart form & balance check
Just over five months ago, VfB Stuttgart squandered direct class preservation when the Swabians missed out on a win in the final game of the season against their upcoming opponents from Hoffenheim. However, coach Sebastian Hoeneß’ team then avoided going down to the 2nd Bundesliga via the relegation against HSV. In the meantime, however, Stuttgart have shown themselves to be in completely contrasting form.
The Swabians got off to an outstanding start in the new season and are currently storming from victory to victory. VfB’s current winning streak stands at six games. In the previous week, the trip to the Alte Försterei also ended successfully, as Stuttgart won 3-0 at the Eisernen. In the standings, Stuttgart thus finds itself in second place in the table.
Guirassy missing
Serhou Guirassy has been the absolute star for VfB Stuttgart in their eight Bundesliga games so far. The 27-year-old scored an absolutely outstanding 14 goals in eight games so far. Against Union, however, the attacker injured himself and will be out for a few games. The VfB is thus missing their best man, who scored every 46 minutes in the opponent’s goal.
The replacement for the Guinea international, however, has an even better rate. Deniz Undav, who moved to the Neckar on loan from Brighton in the Premier League in the summer, has scored three goals so far this season and even averaged a goal every 44 minutes. Against Hoffenheim, the German-Turk would now like to score on his starting debut as well.
Stuttgart facts & analysis
- Sebastian Hoeneß still without a home defeat in the Bundesliga.
- The second best offense in the league
- In second place in the Bundesliga
Hoffenheim form & balance check
At the beginning of the past season, TSG Hoffenheim was still fighting to qualify for the Europa League. But then the Kraichgauer fell into a deep hole and secured only shortly before the end of the season the class preservation. This season, however, coach Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team seems to be back in contention for a European spot.
Hoffenheim suffered three defeats in their first eight games, but the Kraichgau side won the remaining five. In the previous week, however, TSG suffered another defeat when Frankfurt’s Eintracht won 3:1 at the PreZero Arena. In the table, Hoffenheim is thus in sixth place.
Beier still on fire
Last weekend, Maximilian Beier impressed with an outstanding dribble to score the interim opening goal against Eintracht Frankfurt. The 21-year-old has hit the back of the net an impressive total of six times in the first eight matchdays. In the process, the rising hopeful even scored in six of the last seven Bundesliga games.
The 21-year-old has also scored at least once in all four of his away games this Bundesliga season. These outstanding performances have already put him in the national team’s spotlight and he may have legitimate hopes of being nominated for the internationals in mid-November.
Hoffenheim facts & analysis
- Won all away games
- In 6th place in the Bundesliga
- Lost 1:3 against Frankfurt in the previous week
Predicted lineup – last update on October 26, 2023
VfB Stuttgart will again operate in a 4-2-3-1. In the forward center, however, the Swabians will have to do without Serhou Guirassy, who will be out injured for a few weeks. Newcomer Deniz Undav will replace the Guinean in attack.
Hoffenheim will again have a 3-5-2. Ozan Kabak and Andrej Kramaric will probably still be missing for TSG against VfB due to injury. In the forward center, we can well imagine that Mergim Berisha will make his starting debut for TSG.
Stuttgart – Hoffenheim direct comparison & stats
So far, the two teams have met in a total of 27 encounters. In eleven of those matches, Stuttgart emerged victorious, while Hoffenheim won seven games. In addition, nine games ended in a draw. Furthermore, neither team managed to pick up a win in their last 13 matches in the role of the away team.
- Both stadiums are separated by only 55 kilometers.
- Stuttgart won four of last six home games against Hoffenheim
- The last away win of Hoffenheim in Stuttgart was on 20/09/2014
