Hosts Borussia Monchengladbach could keep their slim hopes of European football alive if they beat Hoffenheim at Borussia Park on Saturday in their third last Bundesliga game of the season.
Ninth-placed Die Fohlen have 44 points following their 4-3 defeat at the hands of Holstein Kiel on April 26 and are four points from a European spot, while Hoffenheim are fourth last in 15th place with 30 points but will secure safety if they win and Heidenheim fail to win on Friday.
Match preview
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The home side will be bitterly disappointed that they lost against 17th-placed Holstein Kiel, a team that had not won their prior six games and had only scored more than one goal once in that period.
Borussia Monchengladbach's defeat could prove fatal in their pursuit of Europe given sixth-placed Borussia Dortmund, who occupy the Conference League spot, will likely be out of reach if they win on the weekend and Die Fohlen fail to achieve victory due to their superior goal difference.
Boss Gerardo Seoane will be particularly concerned by his side's defensive frailty, with the club conceding nine times in their past three outings, as many as they had conceded in their previous six.
Die Borussen have succumbed to defeat in each of their last three matches and have not triumphed in four, whereas they had won six of their prior nine.
Borussia Monchengladbach's record at home is poor considering they have managed to win just once in their five most recent outings at Borussia Park, drawing one and losing on three occasions in that time.
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As for Hoffenheim, they were beaten 3-2 by Borussia Dortmund on April 26, a game in which the victors created five big chances compared to Hoffenheim's two.
It should be noted that Christian Ilzer's side have found the back of the net six times in their last three games, more than they had managed in their previous six fixtures (five).
Die Kraichgauer were defeated 2-1 by Borussia Monchengladbach in the league on December 21, and have lost five of their six most recent encounters with their hosts, winning just once.
Hoffenheim's loss against Dortmund was their second consecutive 3-2 defeat, and was also the fourth time they have lost in their past six matches.
The visitors come into the clash on the back of three successive away losses having scored three and conceded seven in that time.
Team News
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Borussia Monchengladbach unfortunately have a number of injury absentees, including centre-backs Ko Itakura, Marvin Friedrich and Nico Elvedi.
Considering goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas will also play no part, fans can expect Fabio Chiarodia and midfielder Philipp Sander to shield shot-stopper Jonas Omlin.
Julian Weigl and Rocco Reitz may be utilised in a double pivot behind attackers Franck Honorat, Alassane Plea, Robin Hack and Tim Kleindienst, though forward Nathan N'Goumou is unavailable.
Hoffenheim are also contending with numerous injuries, including to defenders Ozan Kabak, Kevin Akpoguma, Valentin Gendrey and Christopher Lenz, and their absences may lead to the selection of Arthur Chaves, Leo Ostigard and Stanley N'Soki in a back three.
Midfielders Diadie Samassekou and Grischa Promel will play no part, though Tom Bischof can feature after he served a suspension against Dortmund, and he may be stationed alongside Anton Stach.
Up front, Adam Hlozek could be supported by Bazoumana Toure and Andrej Kramaric considering Ihlas Bebou has been ruled out until the middle of May.
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Omlin; Scally, Chiarodia, Sander, Ullrich; Reitz, Weigl; Honorat, Plea, Hack; Kleindienst
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Philipp; Chaves, Ostigard, N'Soki; Kaderabek, Stach, Bischof, Bulter; Toure, Kramaric; Hlozek
We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-2 Hoffenheim
It would not be surprising to see both sides create several chances due to the clubs' injury issues, and it is difficult to see either keeping a clean sheet.
While Borussia Monchengladbach have not been particularly strong at home, Hoffenheim have failed to impress on the road, and Saturday's clash may end with the spoils shared.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
