Europa League | League Stage

Dec 12, 2024 at 5.45pm UK

DnB NOR Arena

Hoffenheimvs.FCSB

Match preview

Hoffenheim might have hoped that the appointment of Christian Ilzer as head coach following Pellegrino Matarazzo dismissal on November 11 would yield improved results, but while the new boss won 4-3 against RB Leipzig in his first game in charge on November 23, he has lost three and drawn one of his subsequent four matches.

The hosts were thrashed 3-0 by Braga in the Europa League on 28 November, conceding twice in the first eight minutes and producing less than 0.8 xG throughout the match.

In the top flight, the Kraichgauers are fifth from bottom on 12 points after 13 games, having drawn 1-1 with Freiburg on 8 December.

Ilzer's side have been poor at both ends of the pitch in recent weeks, conceding nine goals and scoring just once in their last four matches.

Hoffenheim's record at the PreZero-Arena is pretty strong, with just one defeat, four wins and one draw in their last seven home matches, although they have only managed one win in their last four home games.

Visitors FCSB can take plenty of positives from their draw with Olympiacos, as they managed to hold on for a point despite having striker Daniel Birligea sent off in the 67th minute.

Prior to his red card, the Romanian side had only managed five shots on target compared to 10 for Olympiacos, but after Birligea's red card they failed to muster a single effort and were forced to defend in a deep block.

Coach Ilias Charalampous will be pleased with his side's domestic form as they sit top of the SuperLiga with 33 points from 19 games, although they are level on points with second-placed Universitatea Cluj.

Charalampous' side are in excellent form, having won seven, drawn two and lost one of their last 10 games.

The away side have also been strong in the Europa League, winning four of their last six games in the competition and winning five of their last eight Europa League games away from home.

Recent Performance

Hoffenheim Europa League form:DWLDL

Hoffenheim form (all competitions):DWLLLD

FCSB Europa League form:WWWLWD

FCSB form (all competitions):LWDWWW

Team News

Hoffenheim will be without centre-backs Florian Grillitsch, Christopher Lenz and Ozan Kabak, so expect Kevin Akpoguma and Stanley N'Soki to start at the back.

Elsewhere, midfielders Finn Becker, Umut Tohumcu and Grischa Promel will not be returning this year, and in their absence, regulars Tom Bischof and Anton Stach may be called upon to partner each other in a double pivot.

Up front, Adam Hlozek, Andrej Kramaric and Jacob Brunn Larsen are likely to start behind striker Haris Tabakovic, with Ihlas Bebou and Marius Bulter injured until the end of December and January respectively.

Meanwhile, Daniel Birligea's suspension could see David Miculescu start up front for FCSB ahead of a supporting cast of Octavian Popescu, Darius Olaru and Florin Tanase.

Midfielder Mihai Lixandru is close to making a comeback from a muscle injury, but if he is unable to hold down a place in the XI, Charalampous may opt for a double pivot of Malcum Edjouma and Adrian Sut.

At the back, Siyabonga Ngezana and Mihai Popescu are likely candidates to cover goalkeeper Stefan Tarnovanu.

Possible starting lineup

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:

Baumann; Kaderabek, Akpoguma, Nsoki, Prass; Stach, Bischof; Hlozek, Kramaric, Larsen; Tabakovic

FCSB possible starting lineup:

Tarnovanu; Cretu, Ngezana, M Popescu, Radunovic; Edjouma, Sut; O Popescu, Olaru, Tanase; Miculescu