Hoffenheim v Hamburger SV Betting Tips

Other than newly promoted Leipzig who continue to go from strength to strength, Hoffenheim have been arguably the most impressive team in the Bundesliga so far this season. Having escaped relegation by just a single point last season, many were predicting Hoffenheim to struggle again this campaign but they’ve gone completely in the other direction. After ten games, they’re unbeaten and sit nicely in third position.

One team who have struggled, and struggled badly, so far this season is Sunday’s visitors Hamburg. The side from the north are currently bottom of the league with just two points to their name and are in real danger of being cut adrift. They’ve scored just four goals and have conceded no less than 23. Even for struggling teams there’s often some positives but it really is hard to find any where Hamburg are concerned. Yes, they have some decent players in their ranks but they’re simply not performing as a team and there appears to be real problems at the club right now. With this in mind, a trip to one of the most in-form sides in the division isn’t exactly what the doctor ordered and another tough afternoon looks to be coming the visitors’ way.

Unsurprisingly, it is the hosts who’re strongly fancied ahead of this one and the bet that catches the eye is ‘Hoffenheim to Win & Over 2.5 Goals’.

Under the stewardship of the youngest ever Bundesliga manager Julian Nagelsmann, Hoffenheim really have found their stride of late. The home side come into this match after securing an excellent point away at the Allianz Arena – not many teams will be able to say that by the end of the season – and before that they’d won five on the spin. Looking good at the back and scoring goals has been the norm for them this season and it’s quite hard to pick holes in anything they’ve done, especially lately. Early on, it looked as though their defence could cause them a few problems; however, after conceding six goals in their opening two matches (2-2 & 4-4 draws), they’ve only let in five in their last eight.

The hosts have won each of their last three at home, scoring five and conceding two in the process. Two of those wins saw three or more goals go in, as did four of their five wins overall this season.  The fact that five of Hamburg’s eight defeats saw three or more goals is also a positive sign.

Aside from not scoring enough, it has been the alarming rate at which they’ve conceded goals that has really been the visitors downfall this season. Once they go behind they’ve developed a tendency to get well-beaten. They’ve lost four of their last five in the league and these results read: 2-5, 3-0, 0-3, 0-0 and 2-0. In five matches, two goals for and 13 against really doesn’t make for good reading – unless you’re backing Hoffenheim here of course. On top of this, the visitors have scored just one goal on the road this season and have conceded nine. In their last away match they were soundly beaten by Köln (3-0).

Whatever way you look at this fixture it’s impossible to get away from the fact that Hoffenheim have an excellent opportunity to record a fourth consecutive win in front of their own fans and it’s well worth backing them to do this in good style – ‘Hoffenheim to Win & Over 2.5 Goals’ is the way to go on Sunday afternoon.

See more tips here.