Wolfsburg vs Hoffenheim prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2023-05-12 13:30.
An angry Niko Kovač has challenged his Wolfsburg players to “show their true colours” as they look to bounce back from a record-equalling drubbing at the hands of Borussia Dortmund. That 6-0 loss, their joint-heaviest ever defeat in the Bundesliga, ended the Wolves’ unlikely quest to finish in the top five, but they remain two points behind Bayer Leverkusen who occupy the Europa Conference League qualification place.
A poor run of form at the Volkswagen Arena, where Wolfsburg have only managed one victory in their last seven attempts (D4, L2), has played a large part in falling off the pace for European qualification. Indeed, their total of five home victories is a joint-low for the entire division, while no team in the top half of the table has conceded more than their 22 home goals.
Looking to extend that poor record are visitors Hoffenheim, who know a victory in this match would mean they are mathematically safe from relegation. It has been a long season for the Blues, who have spent the majority of the campaign in and around the bottom three, but four wins from their last seven outings (D1, L2) has dragged them towards safety.
Each of those victories have come under new manager Pellegrino Matarazzo, including a 3-1 defeat of Eintracht Frankfurt last time out, where the American praised the “hunger” of his players as they clung on to a crucial three points despite having Stanley Nsoki sent off early in the second half. The boss will now be hoping his side can carry that form forward as they aim for just a second victory in 12 away games across all competitions (D2, L8).
Key battle: Wolfsburg will be hoping history doesn’t repeat itself for Jonas Wind, who’s only defeat in eight goalscoring appearances for the club came against Hoffenheim (W5, D2). Blues goalkeeper Oliver Baumann will be looking to stop him, but he has only kept one clean sheet in his previous 11 trips to the Volkswagen Arena (W2, D4, L5), conceding at least twice on seven occasions.
Hot streak: The last nine meetings between these sides witnessed both teams score, while eight of those fixtures also contained at least three goals.