Does Hoffenheim consolidate their position in the chasing pack?
The winter break was short and already the Bundesliga continues in the new year. While numerous league and cup matches had to be cancelled elsewhere, this is not an issue in the duel between TSG Hoffenheim and FC Augsburg. Both teams have been affected by the virus, but only to a relatively minor extent overall.
The Kraichgau side in particular will be eager for the start of the second half of the season. With 29 points, Sebastian Hoeneß’ team is in fifth place and is in a group of five teams that are separated by only four points in third to seventh place. International business seems within reach again for TSG this season.
The first half of the season was outstanding for 1899. The Kraichgauer already have nine more points on their account this season than at the same time last year. Therefore, TSG are a force to be reckoned with this season and the first prediction for the clash between Hoffenheim and Augsburg is that the home side will consolidate their position in the chasing pack with a win.
FC Augsburg have managed a small run in the Advent season. Nevertheless, the situation for the puppet players is precarious. Although they are currently in 15th place and thus above the line, the cushion on the relegation place is only a single point.
Hoffenheim – Statistics & current form
The start of the year has not been TSG Hoffenheim’s cup of tea. The Kraichgauer have failed to win the first game of a new year four times in a row and have only managed a draw. Sebastian Hoeneß’ team is currently in good form and the winter break was extremely short, so they can definitely avoid a false start this year.
Bears strong in their own arena
The TSG have been very strong in their own arena in recent weeks. In the last six home games, Hoffe have taken 16 out of a possible 18 points. In total, there has been no defeat for six games. Therefore, we can probably save ourselves the trouble of paying more attention to the odds on an away win in the match between Hoffenheim and Augsburg.
Before the short Christmas break, Hoffenheim hosted Borussia Mönchengladbach at the PreZero Arena. The visitors took a 1-0 lead, but in injury time substitute Kevin Akpogouma scored to make the final score 1-1. In the league, the TSG scored the most goals through substitutes, which suggests that Hoffenheim is particularly successful in the second period.
In terms of personnel, however, things could certainly look better. Sargis Adamyan had to go into quarantine as a contact. Kasim Adams and Havard Nordtveit are suffering from a common flu infection. The injured list also includes Ermin Bicakcic, Marco John and Robert Skov. Diadie Samassekou is preparing for the Africa Cup with his national team.
Predicted line-up of Hoffenheim:
Baumann – Posch, Voigt, Grillitsch – Kaderabek, Raum, Geiger, Stiller – Kramaric – Bebou, Rutter – Coach: Hoeneß
Last matches played by Hoffenheim:
1st Bundesliga
12/18 2021 – Hoffenheim 1 – 1 Borussia Mönchengladbach
12/15 2021 – Bayer Leverkusen 2 – 2 Hoffenheim
12/11 2021 – SC Freiburg 1 – 2 Hoffenheim
12/04 2021 – Hoffenheim 3 – 2 Eintracht Frankfurt
11/27 2021 – Greuther Fürth 3 – 6 Hoffenheim
Augsburg – Statistics & current form
It is not so often that FC Augsburg dominates the headlines. At the beginning of the year, however, the Fuggerstädter were the talk of the town. The signing of US prodigy Ricardo Pepi caused an international stir. The Augsburg club paid a whopping 16 million euros for the services of the 18-year-old.
Upward trend of the puppet players
He should help to ensure that FCA do not have to tremble until the last matchday. The form was very decent before the break. Markus Weinzierl’s team lost only one of their last six games and are unbeaten away from home for three games. That almost sounds as if a prediction of a point win for the visitors in the duel between Hoffenheim and Augsburg is conceivable after all.
In the last match before Christmas, FCA had to deal with Greuther Fürth, a promoted team. They did not manage more than a tired 0:0 away from home. A win at the bottom of the league would have been extremely important. Nevertheless, the puppet players went into the winter break with a good feeling and are now returning with an even better one after the transfer of Ricardo Pepi.
Whether the young American will make his debut directly on Saturday remains to be seen. It is more likely that he will sit on the bench for the time being. Felix Uduokhai and Florian Niederlechner will return to the starting eleven. Alfred Finnbogason and Tobias Strobl will continue to be absent with injuries, Tomas Koubek (quarantine) and Reece Oxford (yellow suspension).
Predicted line-up of Augsburg:
Gikiewicz – Gumny, Gouweleeuw, Uduokhai, Iago – Dorsch, Maier – Hahn, Caligiuri, Vargas – Niederlechner – Coach: Weinzierl
Last matches played by Augsburg:
1st Bundesliga
12/18 2021 – Greuther Fürth 0 – 0 Augsburg
12/15 2021 – Augsburg 1 – 1 RB Leipzig
12/10 2021 – 1. FC Köln 0 – 2 Augsburg
12/04 2021 – Augsburg 2 – 3 Vfl Bochum
11/27 2021 – Hertha Berlin 1 – 1 Augsburg
Hoffenheim – Augsburg Direct comparison / H2H balance
33 times Hoffenheim and Augsburg have faced each other so far. The first duels took place in the early 2000s even in the then Regionalliga Süd. In the direct comparison, TSG is ahead with 16:11 victories. It is interesting to note that 1899 has not won more against any other current Bundesliga team in the top flight than against FCA, namely twelve.
In the first leg, the Kraichgau side won the match in Augsburg in a commanding fashion and were right at the top of the table after the first matchday. The reason for this was a 4:0 victory for Sebastian Hoeneß’ team. Jacob Bruun Larsen put his team in front in the first half. Sargis Adamyan, Georginio Rutter and Sebastian Rudy added three more goals in the closing stages.
Hoffenheim – Augsburg Tip
The Hoffenheim side are clear favourites on Saturday. Especially the home strength in the last games suggests that the TSG will bring in a three against the FCA. After all, Sebastian Hoeneß’ team is unbeaten in six games.
Augsburg, however, have also only suffered one defeat in their last six matches and have also not lost away from home three times in a row. However, we think that this series will be broken on Saturday. We strongly believe that only a bet on a home win can be successful in the match between Hoffenheim and Augsburg.
Many of TSG’s last games were football festivals. The Kraichgauer always play forward and therefore we can imagine that some goals will be scored. Maybe even shooting star Ricardo Pepi will get on the scoresheet for FCA. In the end, we decided to play the betting odds between Hoffenheim and Augsburg on a home win with a total of more than 2.5 goals.
