Tactics
Hoffenheim have collected ten points from 11 games since Pellegrino Matarazzo replaced André Breitenreiter as head coach in February, keeping them in the battle against relegation. For the most part, Matarazzo has kept faith with his predecessor’s preferred system of a back three and two out-and-out strikers. January signing John Anthony Brooks has become a mainstay at centre-back alongside Ozan Kabak and Kevin Akpoguma, although the latter will miss the game against Eintracht through suspension.
Absentees
Hoffenheim duo Pavel Kaderabek and Kevin Vogt are both injured, while Akpoguma is serving a one-match ban after picking up his tenth booking of the season.
Eintracht will be without injured quartet Kristijan Jakic, Philipp Max, Hrvoje Smolcic und Tuta. Sebastian Rode is struggling with a muscle problem and is also a doubt.
One to watch: Dennis Geiger
Dennis Geiger made his 100th Bundesliga appearance for Hoffenheim against Leipzig last weekend. The homegrown midfielder has matured into a key player and leading figure for TSG, starting every game he has been available for this season.
- The 24-year-old joined TSG’s academy as an 11-year-old before rising through the club’s youth ranks. He recently extended his contract until 2027.
- Geiger has also represented Germany at every youth level from the Under-15s through to the Under-21s. His biggest achievement was helping the Under-17s finish second at the 2015 European Championship.
- He has registered six goals and 11 assists in 100 Bundesliga outings.
Key battle: Angeliño vs. Aurélio Buta
Hoffenheim enjoy getting crosses into the box, with Angeliño’s deliveries from the left flank a particular threat. Only Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa has attempted more crosses this season than the former Manchester City and Leipzig player, who has managed to create 11 big chances with his deliveries – the sixth-highest figure in the division.
Aurélio Buta is likely to be handed the dual task of keeping the Spaniard at bay at one end and troubling the Hoffenheim defence at the other. The 26-year-old has become a regular starter in 2023, registering two goals and two assists since the turn of the year. If he plays to his potential at the PreZero Arena, Buta could be key to Eintracht getting a positive result.
