Bundesliga: Defence Might Be Optional Between Stuttgart and Hoffenheim

VfB Stuttgart vs TSG Hoffenheim

The Bundesliga matchup between VfB Stuttgart and Hoffenheim is low-key one of the top games to look forward to this weekend, as both sides love their attacking brand of football.

VfB Stuttgart and Hoffenheim have recorded 23 league goals combined after the first five matchdays, so SBOTOP football fans can expect new Bundesliga 2024 highlights from these two sides when they convene at the MHPArena on Sunday.

But despite their attacking exploits, there’s a huge gap between VfB Stuttgart and Hoffenheim in the German top-flight standings.

The hosts are currently in eighth place with eight points, level with Union Berlin and Werder Bremen, while the visitors are in the relegation zone at 16^th place with three points.

Hoffenheim are on a four-game losing streak, so they’re desperate to break out of their slump as soon as possible.

 

Talking Points

VfB Stuttgart have weapons up front

After an unprecedented P2 finish in the standings last season, VfB Stuttgart were one of the busiest teams during the summer transfer window.

VfB Stuttgart cashed in by selling Serhou Guirassy, Waldemar Anton, and Hiroki Ito, among others. However, Deniz Undav, Ermedin Dermirovic, and Jamie Leweling, among others, came in via permanent contracts.

Undav and Demirovic have made sure that VfB Stuttgart doesn’t fall far off because they have four league goals apiece. Enzo Millot has also stepped up for Sebastian Hoeneß’s side, having tallied three goals and two assists already.

Jamie Leweling and El Bilal Toure (on loan from Atalanta) also have opened their Stuttgart accounts this year.

Sebastian Hoeneß typically deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Demirovic as their main striker up front and Undav, Leweling, and Millot behind him.

Meanwhile, Alex Nubel has established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in Germany. He is back with the team after extending his loan from Bayern Munich, although he could use a few more clean sheets in the next few games.

 

Hoffenheim’s new strike partnership is a work in progress

Andrej Kramaric started the 2024-25 campaign on fire when he was one of the Golden Boot frontrunners with four goals after the first two matchdays. However, he has cooled off because he failed to find the back of the net in his next three appearances for Die Kraichgauer.

The Croatian striker also missed Hoffenheim’s games against Midtjylland and Werder Bremen due to illness in between those games, which affected his form, as he looked a little rusty against Dynamo Kyiv in the Europa League last night.

It’s a good thing, however, that Adam Hlozek has hit a purple patch, scoring three goals in his last two appearances, while Marius Bulter also has four goals in all competitions under his belt.

The big problem for Hoffenheim is their backline that doesn’t have a clean sheet and has already conceded 15 league goals this year. Die Kraichgauer are badly missing long-term absentees Ozan Kabak, David Jurasek, and Finn Becker.

 

History

Sebastian Hoeneß and Pellegrino Matarazzo will face their former employers this weekend, with the former having coached Hoffenheim from 2020-2022 and the latter having coached VfB Stuttgart from 2019 to 2022.

Hoffenheim are in the midst of their second-worst start to a Bundesliga campaign after claiming only three points in the first five matchdays.

The last time they suffered a four-game losing streak was a period between January and March 2023, when Pellegrino Matarazzo took over from Andre Breitenreiter during a seven-game losing streak, including the first five games under the American manager.

In contrast, VfB Stuttgart are undefeated in their last 14 Bundesliga games at the MHPArena (W10, D4). However, their last defeat on home soil was against, you guessed it, Hoffenheim on October 28, 2023 (3-2).

 

Betting Tip

The Bundesliga 2024 odds aren’t optimistic on Die Kraichgauer’s chances to win on Sunday. VfB Stuttgart are 1.28 favourites, whereas Hoffenheim are 6.70 underdogs, and a draw is at 5.70 in the 1X2 market.

As mentioned, it’s fair to expect goals from these two teams, but the hosts are likely to outscore their visitors to get all three points this weekend.

Total Goal 2-3 at 2.72 should get the job done for VfB Stuttgart, but you may also want to consider bets like Total Goal 4-6 at 2.00, Over 3.75 at 1.80, Over 4.00 at 2.02, or even Over 4.25 at 2.28 if you’re more of a risk taker. Furthermore, a Correct Score of 3-0 in favour of VfB Stuttgart – the result of their most recent encounter – has a generous 11.00 offer.

   

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