Hoffenheim vs. RB Leipzig preview: Hoffenheim look for second home win against in-form Leipzig | OneFootball

Hoffenheim

The season thus far has provided a stark contrast to the last for Hoffenheim. 

Christian Ilzer's side currently sits sixth in the Bundesliga, with Die Kreichgauer picking up three points on the road through a 3-2 win against Wolfsburg last time out. 

Four out of Hoffenheim's five wins this season, though, have come away from home, with their first home win of the term being secured at the end of October against Heidenheim.

Granted, they hosted Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, and high-flying Köln before this. However, there is no respite from the tough run of home fixtures, as they welcome RB Leipzig to Sinsheim. 

Team News

On the team news front, Arthur Chaves remains a doubt heading into the weekend due to a head injury. Hennes Behrens and Valentin Gendrey are expected to return after the international break, while Koki Machida and Adam Hlozek won't return until at least December, with the latter potentially having to wait until the Rückrunde.

Predicted lineup - 4-3-3: Baumann - Coufal, Hajdari, Hranac, Bernardo - Prömel, Avdullahu, Burger - Asllani, Lemperle, Toure 

RB Leipzig

After suffering a heavy 6-0 defeat against champions Bayern Munich on opening night, RB Leipzig have since responded fantastically under the guidance of Ole Werner.

Die Roten Bullen are unbeaten since the defeat in Bavaria, with their only dropped points coming in a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park. 

Following the departures of Xavi Simons, Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko over the summer, Werner's new-look side are flying, with Yan Diomande and Romulo shining in particular.

Sitting second after a 3-1 win against fellow top four hopefuls Stuttgart, Leipzig are aiming to extend their unbeaten run as they travel to Sinsheim this weekend.

Team News

Centre-back Castello Lukeba is expected to return to the fold in mid-December, while Benjamin Henrichs, Viggo Gebel and Kosta Nedeljkovic are all long-term absentees.

Predicted lineup - 4-3-3: Gulacsi - Baku, Orban, Bitshiabu, Raum - Ouedraogo, Seiwald, Baumgartner - Diomande, Romulo, Nusa