In what could prove to be a defining match in the battle for Bundesliga survival, St Pauli will welcome Hoffenheim to Millerntor-Stadion on Friday.
St Pauli are fourth last in 15th place with just 22 points following their 1-1 draw with Wolfsburg on March 8, while their opponents are four points and two places in front after drawing 1-1 with Heidenheim on March 9.
Match preview
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The hosts’ phenomenal first-half display – a half in which they scored, created nearly 1.3 xG and prevented Wolfsburg from registering a shot on target – was undone in the second 45 minutes when Mohamed Amoura‘s levelled the match from the penalty spot with less than half an hour to go.
St Pauli had failed to score in any of their prior four matches, though it should be noted that they have played four of the division’s top seven in their last five.
Alexander Blessin‘s side are only two points above 16th-placed VfL Bochum, who occupy the league’s relegation playoff spot, and maintaining their advantage will be crucial given the two clubs will play each other on the final day of the season in May.
Kiezkicker are winless in six outings – losing four of their past five – and they conceded nine goals in that period.
St Pauli’s form at home has not been particularly strong, with the club having been beaten in four of their six most recent outings at Millerntor-Stadion while emerging victorious just once.
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Hoffenheim come into the clash having survived a second-half onslaught against Heidenheim, somehow only conceding once despite facing four big chances and 16 shots from inside the box.
Despite their defensive vulnerability last time out, the visitors have improved significantly at the back considering they have only conceded three goals in their past four games, whereas they had conceded 15 times in their previous five matches.
Die Kraichgauer did lose 2-0 in the reverse fixture against St Pauli on November 2, a game in which they failed to generate one xG, and did not produce a single big chance in the second half.
Christian Ilzer‘s team are undefeated in their four most recent outings – drawing two and winning two – but they have only found the back of the net once in each of their past three.
Hoffenheim’s record on the road is excellent given they have triumphed in four of their last five away from home in all competitions.
Team News
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The hosts will have to contend with the absence of striker Simon Zoller, as well as forward Morgan Guilavogui, and their injuries may mean Elias Saad and Noah Weisshaupt will be supported by Danel Sinani.
Midfielder James Sands is also unavailable, but there is no reason to suggest that regular Jackson Irvine will not be selected, and he could be joined by Eric Smith in the middle of the pitch.
Goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj is likely to be stationed behind centre-backs David Nemeth, Hauke Wahl and Siebe Van der Heyden considering shot-stopper Sascha Burchert has been ruled out.
Hoffenheim’s injury list is extensive, with defenders Christopher Lenz and Ozan Kabak out as a result of injury, while Arthur Chaves is suspended.
Leo Ostigard and Kevin Akpoguma are probable candidates to feature as centre-backs behind Anton Stach, Finn Ole Becker and Tom Bischof.
However, forwards Grischa Promel, Ihlas Bebou and Adam Hlozek are set to miss out, so expect Gift Orban to be partnered by Haris Tabakovic up front.
St Pauli possible starting lineup:
Vasilj; Nemeth, Wahl, Van der Heyden; Saliakas, Irvine, Smith, Treu; Sinani; Weisshaupt, Saad
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Kaderabek, Akpoguma, Ostigard, Gendrey; Bischof, Stach, Becker; Kramaric; Tabakovic, Orban
We say: St Pauli 1-2 Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim have been excellent away from home and they will believe they can cause their hosts numerous issues during counter-attacks.
St Pauli’s home form has been subpar, and they have struggled in the final third in the past weeks, so the visitors should come into Friday’s match as favourites.
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