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Hoffenheim logo
Bundesliga | Gameweek 9
Oct 7, 2022 at 7.30pm UK
Rhein-Neckar-Arena
Werder Bremen logo
Hoffenheim
1 - 2
Werder Bremen
Dabour (32')
Geiger (8'), Vogt (71'), Kabak (90+1')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Ducksch (18'), Fullkrug (87' pen.)
Gruev (44'), Friedl (45+1'), Bittencourt (90+3')

Preview: Hoffenheim vs. Werder Bremen - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's Bundesliga clash between Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Hoffenheim take on Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Friday with the visitors able to leapfrog their opponents in the table if they can find a win.

The hosts, meanwhile, are aiming to return to winning ways having drawn their last two matches.


Match preview

Hoffenheim's Christoph Baumgartner celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 12, 2022© Reuters

Despite being held by Freiburg and Hertha Berlin in their last two games, Hoffenheim undoubtedly look an improved side under Andre Breitenreiter's management.

The former Germany Under-21s international, who guided FC Zurich to their first Swiss Super League title in 13 years before joining Hoffenheim in the summer, has evidently made Die Kraichgauer a much more solid outfit given that they have only conceded eight goals in eight league games.

However, they could not hold onto the lead that Andrej Kramaric's third goal of the season had provided them with away to Hertha Berlin last weekend, with Dodi Lukebakio levelling the proceedings before half time.

Should his side find themselves ahead against Werder Bremen at Rhein-Neckar-Arena on Friday evening, Breitenreiter will be hoping to see more composure in possession, especially with their forthcoming opponents having a strong penchant for scoring late goals.

Leonardo Bittencourt celebrates scoring for Werder Bremen on August 6, 2022© Reuters

That said, Werder got the job done early against Borussia Monchengladbach, with three goals in the first 13 minutes helping them to a superb 5-1 victory at Weserstadion.

Niclas Fullkrug's brace was sandwiched by his strike partner Marvin Ducksch getting in on the act before Ramy Bensebaini's own goal prior to half time, with Mitchell Weiser settling any growing nerves after Marcus Thuram had pulled one back for the visitors.

Fullkrug, whose chronic injury issues were a major factor in Werder suffering their first relegation for 41 years two seasons ago, continues to go from strength to strength, with the 29-year-old extending his tally to seven goals in eight league games for the season.

Head coach Ole Werner will need his dynamic strike duo to be at their best once again if they are to beat Hoffenheim on Friday, but with 12 points from eight matches already, they have absolutely nothing to fear having exceeded all expectations so far following their promotion.

Hoffenheim Bundesliga form:

Werder Bremen Bundesliga form:


Team News

Hoffenheim's Christoph Baumgartner celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 12, 2022© Reuters

Hoffenheim are expected to remain without Ihlas Bebou, Ermin Bicakcic and club captain Benjamin Hubner due to injury.

As such, Breitenreiter's only real selection headache is whether to partner Kramaric with Georginio Rutter or Munas Dabbur, with the latter likely to win that particular contest.

Werder, meanwhile, are likely to travel without Dikeni Salifou and Jean Manuel Mbom as the pair continue to recover from groin and Achilles issues respectively.

Amos Pieper missed last weekend's thrashing of Gladbach through suspension and should return to Werner's back three in place of Niklas Stark, while Leonardo Bittencourt could start in midfield having only been used from the bench last time out.

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Kabak, Vogt, Nsoki; Kaderabek, Promel, Geiger, Angelino; Baumgartner; Dabbur, Kramaric

Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Pavlenka; Pieper, Veljkovic, Friedl; Weiser, Schmid, Gross, Bittencourt, Jung; Fullkrug, Ducksch


SM words green background

We say: Hoffenheim 1-1 Werder Bremen

Werder have performed much better than most people would have expected so far this season, with only Bayern Munich scoring more goals than them across the entire division.

As such, it could be an entertaining affair, with Hoffenheim potentially ending up with a third successive share of the spoils.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data

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Game History

How you voted: Hoffenheim vs Werder Bremen

Hoffenheim
62.7%
Draw
21.1%
Werder Bremen
16.3%
166
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3Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen65102061416
4Bayern MunichBayern64202061414
5RB Leipzig74211661014
6Hoffenheim6402139412
7Wolfsburg7403109112
8Freiburg6312710-310
9Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt614145-17
10Heidenheim62131013-37
11SV Darmstadt 9872141219-77
12Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach71331316-36
13Union BerlinUnion Berlin72051114-36
14Werder Bremen62041014-46
15Augsburg71241017-75
16VfL BochumVfL Bochum7043519-144
17Mainz 05Mainz7025619-132
18FC Koln6015411-71

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