Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich will hope to celebrate the final game of the season with a victory against hosts Hoffenheim on Saturday at PreZero Arena.
Hoffenheim are fourth last in 15th place and their points tally of 32 may already be enough to avoid dropping into the 16th-placed relegation playoff spot, whereas Bayern beat Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 on May 10 and have 79 points.
Match preview
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Hoffenheim drew 2-2 with Wolfsburg in their most recent Bundesliga game last Friday, a match in which they conceded in the first minute, and manager Christian Ilzer will be disappointed that his side conceded twice despite facing less than one xG.
Die Kraichgauer have picked the ball out of their own net 12 times in their last four games, but they also scored 10 goals in that time.
The home side are three points ahead of 16th-placed Heidenheim and their goal difference figure of minus 18 is six better than their relegation rivals, meaning they will likely guarantee safety should they avoid a heavy defeat against Bayern.
Ilzer’s side have failed to win any of their past four outings – losing twice – and have lost four, drawn four and won just one of their past nine.
Hoffenheim’s form at home is poor, as while they have been only been defeated in one of their five most recent games at PreZero Arena, they only won one in that period and lost four and drew three of their previous seven at the stadium.
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As for Bayern, they were arguably fortunate to keep a clean sheet against Borussia Monchengladbach given they faced two big chances and 1.7 xG.
To the visitors’ credit, they have not conceded a goal in three of their last four games, whereas they had only kept three clean sheets in their prior 12.
Vincent Kompany‘s side have also been prolific in front goal, finding the back of the net 16 times in their six most recent matches, and their tally of 95 goals in the Bundesliga is at least 37 better than every other top-flight team.
The Bavarians emerged as 5-0 winners when they faced off against Hoffenheim in the league on January 15, taking a four-goal lead by the 26th minute.
Bayern are unbeaten in six games in all competitions – winning three – and are undefeated in eight Bundesliga outings, a period encompassing five victories.
The club have also not experienced a loss away from home since January 22 against Feyenoord in the Champions League, achieving triumphs six times in the 10 games that followed that match.
Team News
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Hoffenheim’s injury list is extensive, with defenders Christopher Lenz, Ozan Kabak, Stanley N’Soki and Valentin Gendrey sidelined.
Arthur Chaves, Leo Ostigard and Kevin Akpoguma were stationed in a three-man defence against Wolfsburg, and there is no reason to suggest they will not start on Saturday.
Anton Stach and Tom Bischof may play in a double pivot given midfielders Diadie Samassekou and Grischa Promel are injured.
In the absence of Gift Orban and Ihlas Bebou, perhaps Bazoumana Toure, Andrej Kramaric and Adam Hlozek will appear in the forward line.
Opponents Bayern will be come into the game with a depleted backline considering Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano, Hiroki Ito and Kim Min-Jae are unavailable.
Eric Dier is certain to start in central defence given he will leave the club in the summer, and he could be partnered by Konrad Laimer, Josip Stanisic and Raphael Guerreiro in a back four.
Creative hub Jamal Musiala is dealing with a hamstring issue, but Thomas Muller would likely have been selected in an attacking midfield position behind striker Harry Kane regardless given the veteran is set to depart the club.
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Chaves, Ostigard, Akpoguma; Kaderabek, Stach, Bischof, Bulter; Toure, Kramaric; Hlozek
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Laimer, Dier, Stanisic, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Muller, Sane; Kane
We say: Hoffenheim 2-4 Bayern Munich
Hoffenheim will almost certainly pose challenges to Bayern considering they have been strong in the final third.
The Bavarians may already have claimed the Bundesliga crown, but they will be keen to cap off their fine domestic campaign with another three points.
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