Football | Tuesday, April 30, 2024 1:36 PM

Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

dpa picture alliance / Alamy Stock Photo: Leipzig's Xaver Schlager reacts

European Football Expert

We have a meeting between European hopefuls to look forward to at PreZero Arena as Jack Wright offers up a Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview in the Bundesliga.

Hoffenheim’s European hopes took a hammer blow as they were beaten 3-2 at Bochum last Friday night. A fifth defeat from seven in the Bundesliga. In contrast Leipzig took a huge step towards a top-four finish with a come-from-behind 4-1 mauling of Dortmund.

Our Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig prediction is for RB Leipzig to win the match 1-4.

Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig Prediction 1: Red Bulls to give us win and goals double

Germany, Bundesliga, Friday, May 3rd, 19:30 (UK)

RB Leipzig answered what was billed as a Champions League qualification shoot-out, in emphatic style. Despite falling behind to a 20th minute Jadon Sancho beauty, RBL stormed back to crush Dortmund 4-1.

Marco Rose’s men are fourth and now enjoy a five-point cushion to BVB with three games to play. All of his key performers were on top form, and the visitors simply couldn’t live with the fearsome attacking threat on display.

In contrast Hoffenheim looked set for a humbling at relegation threatened Bochum last Friday evening. The Blues flew out of the traps and raced into a 2-0 lead at half-time and when Kevin Stöger made it three shortly after the hour it looked like game over.

Die Kraichgauer once again showed why they are the Bundesliga entertainers as a late Andrej Kramarić double put an undeserved element of respect to the scoreline. They have still only failed to score in three league games this term.

That is a record I expect to continue here but combined with the hosts suffering a sixth defeat in eight games. Leipzig have won their last four road trips, scoring 15 goals in the process but also conceding in each one. They have now failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 12 away fixtures.

Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig Prediction 1: RB Leipzig to Win and Both Teams to Score (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 2.20
Bookmaker: bet365
Stake: 8/10

Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig Prediction 2: Šeš to KO hosts

Benjamin Šeško has enjoyed a superb first season with RB Leipzig since his transfer from ‘step-sibling’ club Salzburg in Austria. Fifteen goals across all competitions has already seen speculation he could be on the move again this summer with alleged strong interest from several English Premier League clubs.

A rich vein of form which has seen the 20-year-old score in each of his last four appearances will only increase the likelihood he appears on the wishlist of managers such as Mikel Arteta. The towering striker showcased his instinctive finishing in the weekend defeat of Dortmund when scoring his side’s second goal. Pouncing on the loose ball to finish after Xaver Schlager’s initial long-range effort was only parried.

That was his 11th league goal of the season and he will be keen to add to his tally against a side that have conceded 63 goals so far this term. Only relegated Darmstadt have shipped more while only the same side and FC Koln have picked up fewer points on home soil than the hosts here.

Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig Prediction 2: Benjamin Šeško to Score
Best Odds: 2.25
Bookmaker: bet365
Stake: 7/10

Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig Prediction 3: Open and shut case to include Loïs in my selections.

For the reasons highlighted above this game screams goals. Although Šeško is the value play to score it would be something of a surprise if Loïs Openda isn’t on the scoresheet once more. The Belgian international continued his white-hot form in the 4-1 win over Dortmund last weekend.

After opening the scoring for his side with his 24th league goal of the campaign he then assisted Mohamed Simikan’s second-half goal. That was his 31st direct goal contribution in the Bundesliga this term with ten of those coming in his last six appearances.

At odds of 1.57, I couldn’t be getting involved in the goalscorer market, but Openda’s shots on target provide a nice foundation for a Bet Builder. The last seven league games have seen the 24-year-old fire off 29 attempts at goal with 19 on target! Having at least two on target in six of those matches.

Pairing that with Xavi Simons to have at least one shot on target comes in at a palatable 1.80. The Netherlands international assisted Openda’s goal against Dortmund but has put together impressive stats in the shooting department, particularly on the road.

The 21-year-old had a season-high six shots at the weekend, with one on target, but his consistency away from home catches the eye. He has had at least one shot on target in eight of his last nine appearances on foreign soil.

Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig Prediction 3: Loïs Openda Over 1.5 Shots on Target and Xavi Simons Over 0.5 Shots on Target (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 1.80
Bookmaker: bet365
Stake: 8/10

Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig Prediction odds via bet365 as at 12:00, April 30th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Hoffenheim vs RB Leipzig Team News and Possible Lineups: Leipzig hoping goal scorer Sima-kan make it.

Bambase Conte missed Friday’s game due to illness so manager Pellegrino Matarazzo will be hoping he can shake that off ahead of this clash. Definitely unavailable will be Umut Tohumcu who picked up a fifth yellow card during Friday’s 3-2 loss to Bochum and so will be suspended here.

Leipzig’s main concern will be if Mohamed Simakan can recover from the knock that forced him off in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund. The 23-year-old defender was substituted just six minutes after scoring his side’s third goal in the opening minute of the second half.

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup: 3-5-2
Baumann; Grillitsch, Kabak, Drexler, Skov, Kramaric, Promel, Stach, Kaderabek, Weghorst, Beier.

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup: 4-2-2-2
Gulacsi; Raum, Lukeba, Orban, Simakan, Schlager, Haidara, Simons, Olmo, Openda, Sesko

Match Stats: Expect overworked Baumann to see plenty of action again

Only Freiburg (7) have scored more than Hoffenheim’s 6 Bundesliga penalties this term.
RB Leipzig are one of 6 Bundesliga clubs yet to score an own goal yet this season.
With 137 David Raum has supplied more crosses from open play than any other in the league this season – Franck Honorat comes a distant second with 95.
Oliver Baumann (150) has saved the most shots in the German top-flight this season – no surprise when Hoffenheim have conceded a league high 544 attempts at their goal.

Hoffenheim Fixtures: Relegated outfit and Champions League hopefuls to come

Vs Darmstadt (A)
Vs Bayern Munich (H)

RB Leipzig Fixtures: Top-six challengers to conclude campaign

Vs Bremen (H)
Vs Frankfurt (A)

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