Bundesliga: Hoffenheim and Hertha Aiming to Snap Losing Streaks

TSG Hoffenheim vs Hertha BSC

Both Hoffenheim and Hertha will be looking to end their winless runs as they lock horns when the Bundesliga returns this weekend.

Prior to the mandated break due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hoffenheim stand at the ninth spot at the Bundesliga table with 35 points while Hertha BSC are at 13^th with 28 points.

Die Kraichgauer are still eyeing for the coveted Europa League spot since it is still within reach and their Bundesliga 2020 odds of getting it are still decent since they only trail two points behind the sixth-placed Schalke team.

On the other hand, Hertha BSC cannot afford any slip-ups if they want to stay out of the relegation zone. After a poor run of form prior to the suspension, Jurgen Klinsmann stepped down and was replaced by Bruno Labbadia as an attempt to turn their fortunes around.

Don’t expect this match to be filled with a lot of Bundesliga 2020 highlights. However, this one should be a tight affair since both clubs are entering the crucial stretch of this season.

Talking Points

Can Hoffenheim overcome their injury woes?

Die Kraichgauer will be coming into this game carrying some bad news given their injuries to their key players.

Andrej Kramaric’s goals will be sorely missed by his team this weekend since he is nursing an ankle injury. The Croatian striker leads them in scoring with seven goals along with two assists.

In addition, his fellow attackers in Sargis Adamyan and Ishak Belfodil also have injuries of their own which should leave a gaping hole out front for Hoffenheim.

With three of them unexpected to play, the attacking burden will rest on the shoulders of Christoph Baumgartner and Ihlas Bebou who have accounted for seven goals and one assist total for this campaign. Munas Dabbur and Jacob Bruun Larsen can also help at the attack when needed as well.

It’s a good thing for Hoffenheim that they are facing the lighter part of their schedule in the next few matchdays. After facing Hertha BSC, Die Kraichgauer will clash with bottom-tier teams such as Paderborn, FC Koln, Mainz, and Fortuna, so that will give them enough time for their injured players to fully recover.

In the last few timeouts, Hoffenheim suffered a brutal beating against Bayern Munich with a 6-0 tally. However, they somehow made up for it by registering a 1-1 draw against Schalke through a late goal by Christoph Baumgartner.

Will the new regime work wonders for Hertha?

Jurgen Klinsmann’s stint with Hertha BSC was short-lived and ill-fated, which is why their fans are probably happy now that he is no longer with the club.

However, SBOBET fans would need to manage their expectations with their new manager Bruno Labbadia since their form is still a work in progress.

After losing badly against FC Koln with a 5-0 score in his first game as head coach, Labbadia was able to draw level against Fortuna and Werder Bremen right before the suspension.

There were some signs of encouragement for the Old Lady particularly in their last game against Werder Bremen. After facing a 2-0 deficit early in the first half, they were able to score two goals care of Niklas Stark and Matheus Cunha to salvage a point in the end.

Bundesliga: Hoffenheim and Hertha Aiming to Snap Losing Streaks — Krzysztof Piatek celebrates scoring a goal

Labaddia will have his work cut out for him to fully integrate his players into his system. Krzysztof Piatek and Mattheus Cunha will spearhead their attack while Marko Grujic will play a big role in the midfield.

Like Hoffenheim, the Old Lady will miss key players too as Vladimir Darida and Salomon Kalou are suspended.

History

Hoffenheim have a terrible form at home so far this term as they have lost seven of their 13 matches there. Their five-game winless streak is the longest under team boss Alfred Schreuder.

Meanwhile, Hertha BSC are unbeaten in their last five away matches but they have won only once in their last 12 matches against Hoffenheim.

They last faced each other in Berlin last October where Bundesliga fans witnessed a five-goal thriller in which Hoffenheim came out on top since Hertha BSC were reduced to 10 men.

Betting Tip

	TSG Hoffenheim vs Hertha BSC	TSG Hoffenheim Asian Handicap -0.25 @1.96
	May 16, 21:30 (GMT+8)

This game had the makings of another goal-scoring fest. But since most key players are out, this might turn into a defencive slugfest.

It is also worth considering that both of these teams aren’t exactly in their peak shape, so expect a lot of excitement and rust from them come Saturday.

I would have to give the advantage to Hoffenheim in this one due to their dominance over the Old Lady in their last few encounters. However, I won’t be surprised either if Hertha BSC can prove me wrong somehow.