Directive clash
In the Baden-Württemberg clash, the home statistics of the last four games between VfB Stuttgart and Hoffenheim speak a clear language despite even odds. Three wins and one draw mean the pendulum is swinging clearly in the direction of the Swabians. The last time Hoffenheim scored three points at the Mercedes-Benz Arena was more than seven years ago. However, the recent form curve of both teams speaks rather differently.
While Stuttgart have been waiting for their second win of the season for five Bundesliga matches after dispatching promoted Greuter Fürth 5-1 on matchday one, Hoffenheim have gone unbeaten twice recently, beating VfL Wolfsburg 3-1 in their last game of the season after a strong second half to record their second win of the season. Furthermore, their start to the season has been their best since the 17/18 season with eight points from their opening six games.
To be able to name a clear favourite, ultimately there is a lack of cogent reasons and statistics. We see attractive value in betting on an away win for Sebastian Hoeneß’s men at VfB Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim. If you don’t dare to bet directly on the Blue and Whites, you could play a combination of X2 and both teams scoring and still have a multiplier of over two.
Germany VfB Stuttgart – Statistics & current form
This season, Stuttgart are realising first-hand that the second year after promotion is usually harder than the first While they were still able to cause a sensation last season and thrill the masses with refreshing, technically high-quality football, a hitherto unknown lack of penetrating power in the offensive developed in the course of this season. With Silas and Kalajdzic still on the injured list, two of the most important players for the Materazzo team’s attacking play are missing. So far, the two could not be replaced.
The Swabians have now waited five games for a win With three well-deserved defeats and two rather fortunate draws, coach Materazzo’s men have not been convincing at all
Offensive statistics deceiving, defence weak
Looking at the numbers, you can see that VfB have already scored nine goals after six games. In view of this statistic, which belongs to the upper half of the table in a league comparison, one would probably rather not attest to an offensive problem. However, if you subtract the five goals scored at the start of the season against Fürth, who were overmatched in all respects, it quickly becomes clear that there is also a problem up front. The negative highlight in terms of goals scored was the last game of the season at VfL Bochum, when they were very harmless.
Nevertheless, this game in Bochum can be encouraging. For the first time this season, they were able to keep a clean sheet. With twelve goals conceded after six matchdays, they still have the third-worst defence in the league Only the two promoted teams Fürth and Bochum surpass the Swabians in this respect
Missing home strength
Two defeats from the first three home games of the season is the worst record since the 15/16 season, when Stuttgart ended up 17th in the table under Jürgen Kramny, who took over from Alexander Zorniger during the season, and bid farewell to the Belletage of German football. To avoid similar scenarios, VFB now desperately need a win against TSG Hoffenheim.
Führich in the starting eleven?
One bright spot last weekend was the inclusion of Chris Führich, who made his season debut for Stuttgart after breaking his collarbone in preparation and being out for a long time. With great expectations, they signed the 23-year-old for a whopping 2.5 million euros from Paderborn, who promptly received praise from the coach. “Extremely invigorating,” was how the coach described the performance of his new protégé. So it is quite possible that the lively winger will be on the pitch from the start on Saturday.
Otherwise, there is still a question mark behind Philipp Förster, who missed the last three games due to a cold. Marc Kempf will most likely return to the starting eleven and together with Anton and Mavropanos, who scored an offside goal in Bochum, form the usual three-man backline. Nevertheless, the bookmakers expect a match of equals between VfB Stuttgart and Hoffenheim according to the betting odds.
Predicted line-up of VfB Stuttgart:
Müller – Kempf, Anton, Mavropanos – Sosa, Endo, Mangala, Massimo – Führich, Klimowicz – Marmoush
Last matches played by VfB Stuttgart:
Germany Hoffenheim – Statistics & current form
The Sinsheim side are experiencing a season of mixed emotions so far. After the furious start to the season at FC Augsburg, TSG remained winless for four games. The first criticisms in the direction of coach Hoeneß arose. With the victory on the sixth matchday against the Wolves from Wolfsburg, the mood improved considerably. Now, with eight points after six games, they are in ninth place, just two points behind sixth place in the table, which entitles them to qualify for international competition.
Dangerous standards
On the one hand, coach Sebastian Hoeneß can currently look back on a strong statistic in standard situations Hoffenheim have scored three of their last four goals of the season from a resting ball. On the other hand, however, this can be viewed equally negatively. Only two of the last five goals scored by TSG have come from play, giving the coach food for thought.
Never giving up Hoffenheimers
Another special feature is that the Hoffenheimers score the most goals within the last 15 minutes of the match in the entire league comparison Already five times they could cheer a goal after the 75th minute. They also won the last match with two late goals. In addition, they have snatched a total of 15 points from behind since the beginning of the year. Together with BVB, they lead the league. So far this season, they are tied with VfL Wolfsburg for first place with four points from behind. There is nothing wrong with the mentality of the blue and white team. Nevertheless, they wouldn’t complain about a clear game like in the first match of the season.
With the best start to the season in more than three seasonsthe TSG will go into the VfB Stuttgart vs. Hoffenheim clash as razor-thin favourites according to the betting providers. Before the upcoming international break, the team around top player Andrej Kramaric will be looking to confirm their decent start to the season and further establish themselves in the top half of the table
In search of a goal-scorer
As the current season shows, the TSG are currently looking in vain for a clear goalscorer Ihlas Bebou, who nominally could slip into this role, is not yet in top form after his infection. The dependence on Kramaric, who so far this season has mainly appeared as an assist provider, is therefore still enormous. It is quite possible that youngster Georginio Rutter will once again get his chance in the centre of attack. Whether Bebou is moved to the bench or to the wing also depends on whether Sebastian Rudy, who is highly regarded by coach Hoeneß for his playmaking ability, returns to the starting eleven or not. Sargis Adamyan would probably have to make way for him.
Predicted line-up of Hoffenheim:
Baumann – Raum, Richards, Vogt, Kaderabek – Samassekou, Grillitsch, Rudy – Baumgartner, Kramaric, Bebou
Last matches played by Hoffenheim:
VfB Stuttgart – Hoffenheim Direct comparison / H2H-Balance
Stuttgart have the lead in the direct comparison VfB won ten of the 23 matches. Hoffenheim have won six and drawn seven more. Of the last three home games between VfB Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, the Swabians have scored twice. A total of 78 goals in these 23 encounters nevertheless suggests a high-scoring game. Nevertheless, it remains to be mentioned that both teams have recently focused on the defence.
Germany VfB Stuttgart – Hoffenheim Germany Tip
The bookmakers’ prediction for VfB Stuttgart vs. Hoffenheim, similar to the direct comparison of the teams, is for a close but high-scoring match. Due to the dangerous league position of both teams, which could be significantly improved with a win in each case, but also significantly worsened with a defeat, there is a lot of pressure on this game. Moreover, it is a Baden-Württemberg derby.
With the important absences at Stuttgart, we see Hoffenheim, who arrive with almost a full squad and a win behind them, slightly in the advantage. Due to the remaining risk, we only bet 4 units on a Hoffenheim win.
In the case of VfB Stuttgart vs. Hoffenheim, betting on a game with more than three goals is considered the most likely, but in this case it does not offer great value with odds of around 1.45. The odds are even worse for the Welsh team. The situation is even worse for bets on both teams scoring.
