Hoffenheim vs Freiburg prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2022-09-17 17:30.
Hoffenheim bounced back from defeat last time out to register their fourth win across the last five rounds and in the process seal their second best Bundesliga start across the last decade. That return has given stock to boss André Breitenreiter’s statement of his “great ambition”, as his side look to build momentum and post a first top-four finish since 2017/18.
The PreZero Arena atmosphere has perhaps proven key in Hoffenheim’s perfect home record this Bundesliga season (W3), and with an 81% unbeaten rate as home league favourites since the start of last season (W10, D3, L3), confidence should be high. If anyone can quell that confidence though it could be Freiburg, who scored eight goals at this venue last term when winning in the league and eliminating Hoffenheim from the cup.
That cup run ultimately ended in defeat in the final, though Freiburg have gone from strength to strength this season with their strongest-ever start to a top-flight campaign (W4, D1, L1), beating a record set only last season! The Bundesliga’s longest serving manager, Christian Streich, maintains that the club’s aim is simply survival, but that seems like a low bar to set considering they’ve also begun their European adventure in perfect fashion (W2).
This game will surely be a test for Freiburg as a round trip to Piraeus in midweek could take its toll, though the confidence earned from that 3-0 midweek win against the Greek champions is immeasurable. It will be interesting to see if their well-travelled legs can maintain the remarkable defensive prowess they’ve shown so far, with Freiburg recording a league-high four clean sheets from the opening six rounds.
Key battle: Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann is set to make his 400th Bundesliga appearance after 268 with Hoffenheim and 131 with Freiburg, while a clean sheet here will be his 100th! Trying to ruin that landmark will be Freiburg’s Michael Gregoritsch, as all but one of his competitive goal contributions this term came away from home (away: G4, A1).
Hot streak: Hoffenheim have no clean sheets across the last 19 competitive H2Hs against Freiburg.