Hoffenheim vs. Stuttgart preview: The Hoeneß/Matarazzo derby

Sebastian Hoeneß and Pellegrino Matarazzo will face off against the previous clubs they coached on Saturday evening in Sinsheim.

Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim barely hold the edge due to goal difference in a tight battle for a potential European spot at 7th in the table. After two big wins, they lost to Frankfurt last weekend and even received a couple of red cards in the process.

Starting center-backs John Brooks and Ozan Kabak are both suspended this week, meaning Kevin Akpoguma and Stanley Nsoki will likely drop back and play with Florian Grillitsch in defense. A point would be huge in TSG’s hope of finally returning to a European competition.

Pellegrino Matarazzo stated, “VfB’s journey so far this season has been extraordinary. – I have different options in defense, irrespective of the shape. We will find a solution.”

Team News

Mergim Berisha, Marco John, Grischa Prömel and Dennis Geiger are out. Robert Skov, Umut Tohmcu and Anton Stach are all expected to play, while Brooks and Kabak are suspended.

Stuttgart

VfB haven’t lost in their last seven league games and are six points clear of 4th-place Dortmund. With the season coming to a close, they really have a fantastic chance of shockingly securing Champions League football.

There aren’t expected to be any major lineup changes with the side managing a short injury list. Four players received call-ups to the German national team this week, as Stuttgart look to claim one more win before heading into the international break.

Sebastian Hoeneß commented, “It’s a special match for me, I can’t lie. It’s an important match for us, but also for Hoffenheim and their goals. We need a great deal of clarity and purpose, and want to go into the international break with a good performance.”

Team News

Anthony Rouault, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Nikolas Nartey are out. Waldemar Anton missed some training this week, but he’s still expected to start.

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