Hoffenheim seek first points as Stuttgart visit in Baden-Schwaben derby | OneFootball

Hoffenheim chase their first Bundesliga points on Saturday when VfB Stuttgart make the short trip to Sinsheim. According to BuLi News, Christian Ilzer’s side entered the season with European ambitions but have stumbled early.

They have lost both league games 3-2, first to Köln after twice leading, then to Borussia Dortmund last weekend. At the PreZero Arena, Leon Avdullahu and Tim Lemperle put Hoffenheim 2-0 up before Serhou Guirassy and Fabio Silva levelled it, and a late Albian Hajdari own goal completed the turnaround.

Last season’s meeting at this ground finished 3-3, with Hoffenheim 3-1 ahead before ten-man Stuttgart fought back, Tiago Tomas equalising in stoppage time. Andrej Kramaric scored twice for the hosts, while Chris Führich and Ermedin Demirovic were also on target.

Team news for the hosts is relatively positive. Fisnik Asllani is a doubt while building fitness, Alexander Prass is also uncertain with a muscle issue, and Kramaric pushes for a bigger role after coming off the bench against Dortmund. Lemperle should keep his place after scoring on his return to the XI.

Stuttgart were thrashed 5-1 by Bayern Munich on opening night, then hit back to beat Köln 4-1 at the MHP Arena, with Bilal El Khannouss, Grischa Prömel, Demirovic and Josha Vagnoman scoring. They carried that into Europe on Wednesday, defeating Viking 3-1 as Demirovic struck a 12-minute first-half hat-trick.

With only three days between fixtures, Sebastian Hoeneß may rotate. Dan-Axel Zagadou, Nikolas Nartey, Justin Diehl, Dennis Seimen, Tiago Tomas and Jeremy Arevalo are out, while Lorenz Assignon and Luca Jaquez are doubts. Demirovic will be difficult to leave out.

Source: BuLi News

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