Hoffenheim prepare for a stern test this weekend as they host an Augsburg-side unbeaten in their last ten Bundesliga outings.
| Augsburg’s Dimitris Giannoulis celebrates with Cedric Zesiger following their side’s 1-0 win against Wolfsburg. | Adam Pretty/Getty Images |
Hoffenheim
The hosts are looking to get back to winning ways after falling to a 1-0 defeat against fellow relegation-threatened side St. Pauli before the international break.
Christian Ilzer’s men currently sit six points clear of current relegation playoff occupiers Bochum, many thanks to a more positive run between mid-February and March after a dismal season thus far, which added eight points to their tally.
Last time out on the road in Hamburg, however, die Kreichgauer failed to register a single shot on target on their way to a 12th loss of the campaign.
And the club enters this weekend without a win in their last seven Bundesliga matches on home soil at the PreZero Arena; another two winless outings at home would see Hoffenheim equal their record of nine accrued between 2022 and 2023.
Team News
Defender Leo Ostigard was forced off during the international break due to a thigh injury sustained in Norway’s 5-0 win against Moldova. The centre-back is doubtful, alongside Alexander Prass and Adam Hlozek, who both suffer from ankle issues.
Ihlas Bebou, Ozan Kabak and Grischa Prömel are all still absent, alongside Diade Samassekou and Christopher Lenz.
Augsburg
Jess Thorup’s Augsburg side has put together a club-record earning run of results since their 1-0 loss against Stuttgart in January, with die Fuggerstädter unbeaten in their last 10 Bundesliga matches.
Beating Wolfsburg last time out, a perfect delivery from Cedric Zesiger put the ball on a plate for Phillip Tietz to open the scoring after eight minutes, earning Augsburg the win, and a sixth consecutive clean sheet.
In 2025, Thorup’s men have conceded the fewest goals across Europe’s top-five leagues in three, and have avoided conceding on ten occasions this campaign. Another clean sheet would see the club equal their record of 11 sustained in 2015-16.
Sitting four points behind the top six with eight to play, Augsburg have propelled themselves to becoming, well and truly, the outsiders for a potential European place.
Team News
Robbery Gummy, Yusuf Kabadayi, Henri Koudossou and Reece Oxford all remain out of action for the visitors.
Mergim Berisha is a doubt and will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s encounter. Otherwise, there is a fully fit squad for the Dane Thorup to choose from.
