After a disappointing home loss to Wolfsburg two weeks ago, Hoffenheim look to regain some ground on the leaders with a trip to Köln.
Hoffenheim were heartbroken a fortnight ago when they conceded a lead in a 2-1 defeat to the Bundesliga champions, and their results have been quite mixed as of late after hitting their stride in the middle of the first half of the campaign.
Köln were 1-0 winners at bottom side Hertha Berlin two weeks ago, and the victory helped them go three points clear of the drop zone for the time being. Their recent form has also seen them lose just once in five Bundesliga outings.
The home side will be without Thomas Kessler, who is out indefinitely after contracting H1N1. Striker Pierre Womé is still recovering from injury and is unavailable. The rest of the squad is fit.
Hoffenheim manager Ralf Rangnick has a mostly fit squad for the match, and players such as Andreas Ibertsberger, Matthis Jaissle and Tobias Weis are beginning to resume training activities as they look to return to game action soon for the very hopeful side.
Hoffenheim are favorites according to the bookmakers, but Köln are by all accounts in better form at the moment. Look for the home side to come through, possibly with the upset result of the weekend.
REVIEW:
Hoffenheim stormed to fourth place in the Bundesliga on Saturday as they hammered Köln 4-0 at RheinEnergieStadion.
The rout began on just five minutes as Brazilian midfielder Carlos Eduardo hit a superb shot from 20 yards out that beat Faryd Mondragón low to the ground.
Six minutes later, Chinedu Obasi marked his return from injury with a goal when he headed home Christian Eichner's pass, making it 2-0 to the visitors.
Hoffenheim kept up the pressure and went three up within a minute of the second half restart, Demba Ba coolly slotting home after Carlos Eduardo's throughball.
Bosnian striker Vedad Ibisevic slotted home from the spot late on to complete the rout and send Köln ever closer to the drop zone.