Hoffenheim – Hannover Prediction & Picks (27.04.2018)

Hoffenheim and Hannover 96 meet at Wirsol Rhein-Neckar-Arena, in a match for the 32nd round of the Bundesliga. Hannover 96 won at home (2-0) the last time they met in this edition of the league, on 12-12-2017. The history of direct confrontations disputed in this stadium is favorable to the home team, which in the last 3 matches won 3. Indeed, the last time these two teams played a match in this stadium, on 12-12-2015, for Bundesliga, Hoffenheim won by (1-0). J. Schmid (30 ‘) scored the only goal of the match. Particular attention is required for the home / away condition, since both teams present significantly different results at home and abroad.

Hoffenheim:

The home team is currently in the 5 th position of the league, with 49 points won, after 13 wins, 10 draws and 8 losses. In the penultimate match, they won in a home match against Hamburger SV, by (2-0). In the last match, they won in an away match against RB Leipzig, by (2-5). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 3 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses in away matches, with 22 goals scored and 27 conceded; against 8 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses at their stadium, with 34 goals scored and 17 suffered. In the last 10 home league matches Hoffenheim has a record of 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, so they have won 20 points out of 30 possible. In their home league matches the most frequent result at half-time was the 1-0 (7 out of 15 matches). Their attack has scored regularly, since they have always scored at least one goal in the last 10 matches for this competition. In 31 matches in this competition, they have only 1 comeback in the 8 matches they suffered in the first goal. There is 1 period that stands out in the last 15 home matches for this competition: they have suffered 5 of their 14 goals between minutes (76’-90 ‘).

The Hoffenheim come to this day with a victory in the field of Leipzig, by 2-5, totaling in this way the second consecutive victory in the German championship. It is important to underline that the locals have had a very positive season and occupy a position that gives access to the Europa League next year. In this match against the fans, coach Julian Nagelsmann must keep the team in 3-5-2, benefiting possession of the ball and attacks paused by the flanks. Mark Uth is still Hoffenheim’s best scorer, with 14 goals scored. For this game the coach can not count on Grillitsch, suspended, plus Posh and Geiger, both injured.

Hannover 96:

After 9 wins, 9 draws and 13 losses, the away team is currently in the 13 th position of the league, with 36 points won. In the last match, they have lost at home against Bayern München by (0-3), after in the previous match they have tied tied in an away match against Stuttgart, by (1-1). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 1 win, 5 draws and 9 losses in away matches, with 12 goals scored and 25 conceded; against 6 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses at their stadium, with 26 goals scored and 25 suffered. For the league, Hannover 96 won 4 points out of 30 possible points, after 4 draws and 6 losses in the last 10 home matches.

For this competition, they have not won any of the last 10 away matches. In the matches played outside their stadium there are some more frequent results: at the end of the first 45 ‘0-0 (6 in 16 matches) and at the end of the match 1-1 (6 in 16 matches). The team has not been very strong defensively, since it has suffered goals in the last 10 games which it disputed in this competition. In 31 matches in this tournament, they have conceded the first goal 20 times and have only won 2 goals in coming. In the last 15 home matches for this competition there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 5 of their 13 goals between minutes (61’-75 ‘).

Hannover 96 comes into this game with a home defeat against Bayern Munich, by 0-3, adding in this way the sixth snub in the last ten games played. At this time the visitors remain in a position very close to the descent zone. Normally the trainer André Breitenreiter presents / displays a tactical defensive system, aligned in 5-3-2, being Harnik and Fullkrug the more offensive players of the equipment. It is important to underline that Fullkrug is the player that stands out, with 12 goals scored and 2 assists. For this game the visiting coach can not use Klaus, punished, in addition to Hubner, Felipe, Jonathas and Prob, these by injury.