Hosts Borussia Mönchengladbach will aim to keep their slim hopes of European football alive when they welcome Hoffenheim to Borussia Park on Saturday for a crucial Bundesliga clash.
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Borussia Monchengladbach
Gladbach, in ninth place with 44 points, will be bitterly disappointed by their 4-3 defeat at the hands of Holstein Kiel on April 26, particularly given the fact that Kiel were on a six-match winless run before that clash. The loss has left them four points adrift of a European spot, and another slip-up could effectively end their hopes of qualifying for European competition next season, especially considering the superior goal difference of sixth-placed Borussia Dortmund.
Die Fohlen’s defence has been a major concern recently, conceding nine goals in their last three games, as many as they had conceded in their previous six. Gerardo Seoane’s men have now lost their last three matches and have not won in four, a stark contrast to their earlier form when they secured six victories from their previous nine games.
At home, Gladbach’s form has been poor, managing just one win from their last five outings at Borussia Park, with three losses and one draw.
Seoane will be without several key players for this encounter. Centre-backs Ko Itakura, Marvin Friedrich, and Nico Elvedi are all sidelined, and goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas will also miss out. This could mean that Fabio Chiarodia and midfielder Philipp Sander will be tasked with shielding goalkeeper Jonas Omlin.
In midfield, Julian Weigl and Rocco Reitz may form a double pivot, while Franck Honorat, Alassane Plea, Robin Hack, and Tim Kleindienst should lead the attack. Forward Nathan N’Goumou is also unavailable.
Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim, in 15th place with 30 points, remain in danger of relegation but will secure safety if they win and Heidenheim fail to do so on Friday. Their recent form has been mixed, with a 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund on April 26 marking their second consecutive defeat by that scoreline. Hoffenheim have lost four of their last six matches, but they have shown some attacking improvement, scoring six goals in their last three outings, more than they managed in the previous six games.
Hoffenheim have struggled on the road, with three successive away losses, having scored three and conceded seven in that stretch. In head-to-head encounters with Monchengladbach, they have struggled, winning only once in their last six meetings and losing five.
Team News
In terms of team news, Hoffenheim are dealing with several injuries. Defenders Ozan Kabak, Kevin Akpoguma, Valentin Gendrey, and Christopher Lenz are all unavailable. As a result, Arthur Chaves, Leo Ostigard, and Stanley N’Soki may form a back three.
Midfielders Diadie Samassekou and Grischa Prömel are also out, but Tom Bischof is available after serving a suspension, and he could partner Anton Stach in midfield. In attack, Adam Hlozek is expected to be supported by Bazoumana Toure and Andrej Kramaric, with Ihlas Bebou sidelined until mid-May.
