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NederlandThe end of the international break sees the Bundesliga return to action on Saturday, which includes Hoffenheim hosting Mainz 05 at the PreZero Arena.
The hosts will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the new season before the break, whilst the visitors will be hoping to pick up from where they left off after tasting victory last time out.
Match preview
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Hoffenheim will view Saturday's match at home to Mainz as a good opportunity to return to winning ways after tasting defeat last time out away to Borussia Dortmund before the break.
In what was their first loss of the new campaign, Die Kraichgauer fought back from behind twice in the second half, including what appeared to be a 90th minute equaliser from Munas Dabbur.
Unfortunately for this weekend's hosts, sensation Erling Braut Haaland was on hand for BVB to snatch a late winner just a minute later.
Although manager Sebastian Hoeness will take positives from a spirited performance away to a likely title challenger this season, he will be disappointed with his team's defensive showing for the second match in a row.
Prior to that defeat, Hoffenheim had conceded two at home to Union Berlin in a 2-2 draw, despite keeping a clean sheet in the opening day hammering over Augsburg.
Missing some good chances at Signal Iduna Park last time out, star man Andrej Kramaric has failed to score in the opening three league matches, but will be hoping Saturday is the perfect chance to open his Bundesliga account for the new season.
Despite this, the Croatian forward has still managed four assists already, as well as two goals in the DFB-Pokal match at the beginning of August.
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As for Mainz, they returned to winning ways last time out before the international break.
Anderson Lucoqui, Adam Szalai and Kevin Stoger netted for this weekend's visitors in a comprehensive 3-0 win over newly promoted Greuther Furth on home soil.
That result and performance was the perfect way to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 defeat to another promoted side in VfL Bochum prior to that.
After these results, and an opening day triumph over RB Leipzig, Mainz find themselves positioned well in seventh place in the Bundesliga after the opening three matches.
Manager Bo Svensson has an incredible record since taking over the usual strugglers back in January, which has seen him win 11 of his 23 games in charge, and lose only six.
His heroics have assisted Die Nullfunfer in miraculously fighting off relegation last season, whilst providing the club and its supporters with unexpected fresh hope in this new season ahead.
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Team News
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The returning Chris Richards could be set to make his second debut for Hoffenheim on Saturday. The American was on loan at the side for the second half of last season and has now returned on deadline day for a second loan spell from Bayern Munich.
Richards looks set to start after impressing last season, especially with fellow defender Kevin Akpoguma set to miss out.
Striker Ihlas Bebou has returned to full fitness in another boost for the hosts, but defenders Ermin Bicakcic, Benjamin Hubner and Havard Nordtveit have all been ruled out.
As for Mainz, their squad has been boosted by a host of first-team players returning from a COVID-19 outbreak in the last couple of weeks.
In fact, full-back Aaron Caricol is expected to be the only absentee for the trip to Hoffenheim, as he has been ruled out with a groin injury.
Midfielder Marcus Ingvartsen, signed on loan from Union Berlin on transfer deadline day, is not expected to start but could make the squad for a potential debut from the bench.
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Kaderabek, Vogt, Richards, Raum; Rudy, Geiger; Baumgartner, Kramaric, Bruun Larsen; Rutter
Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:
Zentner; St Juste, Bell, Niakhate; Widmer, Barreiro, Kohr, Lucoqui; Boetius; Burkardt, Szalai
We say: Hoffenheim 1-1 Mainz 05
Hoffenheim would normally be expected to beat a side like Mainz at home, with the visitors usually struggling at the bottom of the table. However, with Mainz's fantastic form dating back to February, we are expecting them to get something from this game. A tight 1-1 draw seems likely.
