Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig predictions for Saturday’s Bundesliga fixture at PreZero Arena. Can the hosts bounce back after a poor result last time out? Or will the visitors continue to move in the right direction? Read on for our free predictions and betting tips.
On the up at PreZero Arena
Hoffenheim approaches this fixture off the back of a disappointing result last time out, losing by two goals to nil away against newly promoted Bochum. Thomas Reis’ men probably went into the international break drained of confidence as a result of that defeat, but their home form is a reason for them to be feeling upbeat ahead of this fixture.
After a shaky start, Saturday’s hosts have really started to come to the party at home, winning three on the bounce. First they got the better of high-flyers Wolfsburg, scoring three on route to victory, while they’ve since made light work of beating both Cologne and Hertha Berlin. Ten goals in three bodes well, as does just one conceded during that time.
Troubled travellers
For Leipzig, the campaign is going reasonably well. They’re currently in fifth position, and are just a single point behind Wolfsburg in fourth, though the visitors would be doing a whole lot better if they could get going on the road.
Playing away from home has provided Jesse Marsch’s men with little joy this season. After five away matches, RBL owns just three travelling points, winning none, drawing three and losing two. Only three teams in the Bundesliga have accumulated less away points thus far, which doesn’t exactly paint Leipzig in the most flattering light.
It’s not that they’re getting battered, nor is it that they struggle to get competitive away from home, conceding no more than a single goal, losing by a maximum of one too, but they’re struggling to get their heads in front, and that is mainly down to a lack of offensive end-product. Three goals scored in five away games simply won’t do, especially if the visitors have ideas of European football next season.
The hosts will undoubtedly look at this fixture as an opportunity to bounce back. After all, they’ve carried out their best work at home, plus the visitors have found it tough to be at their best on the road. However, defences may be on top in this one and thus in the betting, ‘Under 2.5 Goals’ appeals, especially at eye-catching odds of 13/8.
For all results haven’t really gone their way on the road, Marsch’s men are very good at keeping teams at bay, while their attacking form lends itself to a low-scoring fixture. With the hosts giving little away at home too, conceding just two in four, a lack of goals really starts to appeal, even more so when we discover that Hoffenheim have registered less shots at home than any other Bundesliga side this season.