09 September 2021, 16:34 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The German Bundesliga fixture, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim vs. FSV Mainz 05 kicks off at 14:30 (GMT+1) on Saturday, September 11 at the Rhein-Neckar Arena.
Preview TSG Hoffenheim Bundesliga, Sep 11, 2021
Preview Spirited-underdogs, Hoffenheim went into the international break behind a 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the five-goal thriller at the Westfalenstadion on Matchday 3. Giovanni Reyna became the youngest player to play 50 games in the German Bundesliga, and he marked the occasion with a brilliant goal. The American gave Dortmund the lead four minutes into the second half (49’) but Baumgartner (61') levelled the score-line a minute after the hour mark. Jude Bellingham (69') restored Dortmund's lead, but then again, Mu'nas Dabbur (90') found the equalizer. However, as so often seen, Erling Haaland (90’+1) came to the rescue. – Firing a cracker into the roof of the net to leave Hoffenheim with their first defeat in three games: 1W, 1D & 1L. Hoffenheim are in 9th place on the German Bundesliga table, after picking up 4 points from 3 league appearances. Manager Sebastian Hoeneß hopes his side will return to winning ways against Mainz on Saturday. A 4—2—3—1 formation could be seen against the 05ers, with the Croatian center-forward, Andrej Kramaric leading the attack. Hoffenheim could be without centre-back, Benjamin Hübner who is sidelined with a back injury. Pavel Kaderabek is currently struggling with a calf injury while Havard Nordtveit is nursing a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, right-winger Ihlas Bebou remains in doubt for this fixture after testing positive for coronavirus.
Preview 1. FSV Mainz 05 Bundesliga, Sep 11, 2021
Preview Meanwhile, the 05ers return to Bundesliga action after the 3-0 thrashing of Bundesliga newcomers, SpVgg Greuther Furth. Goals from Lucoqui (15’), Adam Szalai (18’) and another in stoppage time by Stoger (90’+2) wrapped up the three points for Mainz. The win leaves the 05ers in 7th place with 6 points after 2W, 0D & 1L. Mainz utilized the international break to give several players not taking part in the World Cup qualifying efforts some minutes on the pitch. – Taking on 2.Bundesliga side, Karlsruher SC in a club-friendly which ended in a goalless draw. The club will return with a form that reads: WLW (Bundesliga). Manager, Bo Svensson aims for maximum points on Matchday 4 against Hoffenheim. He could line up with three at the back once again, like he did on Matchday 3. A 3—5—2 formation with the duo of Ádám Szalai and Burkardt in attack is expected. A victory for Mainz could see the 05ers move into the top-five, - considering favorable results from Dortmund’s game against Leverkusen and Koln’s game against SC Freiburg. Bo Svensson has no injury worries ahead of this fixture.