VFB Stuttgart VfB Stuttgart - TSG Hoffenheim TSG Hoffenheim

Sat, 20.12.202514:30 PM

MHPArena

African duo to miss out

Both teams will have a player each unavailable for this final game of the year as they compete at the Africa Cup of Nations. Stuttgart's Bilal El Khannouss will be representing hosts Morocco, starting with Sunday's opening match against Comoros, while Hoffenheim's Bazoumana Touré is in the Ivory Coast squad.

Inside knowledge

Current Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß was given the opportunity to establish himself in the Bundesliga at Hoffenheim. In the summer of 2020, he moved from Bayern Munich II to the Sinsheimers, where he led the team for two years. Hoffenheim finished 11th and ninth in Hoeneß's two seasons at the club.

Familiar foe

At the heart of Stuttgart's combination play is former Hoffenheim man Angelo Stiller, who has averaged 92 touches per 90 minutes while boasting an excellent pass completion rate of 90 per cent this season.

Visitors on the rise

Christian Ilzer's Hoffenheim have enjoyed a dramatic turnaround in fortunes this season, winning six of their last eight Bundesliga matches to sit fifth in the standings, one point ahead of Saturday's opponents Stuttgart.

2:03

Watch: Hoffenheim 1-1 Stuttgart - previous meeting

The Baden-Württemberg bragging rights were shared home and away last season, which is not all that uncommon in the fixture. Eleven of the 30 Bundesliga meetings between the two regional rivals have ended in draws, with Stuttgart winning 11 and Hoffenheim eight.

2:03

Watch: Werder Bremen 0-4 Stuttgart - highlights

Stuttgart returned to winning ways following defeats to Hamburg and Bayern Munich by thrashing 10-man Werder Bremen on Matchday 14. The DFB Cup holders return to action in sixth place and could climb as high as fourth, if results go their way across the calendar year's final weekend of Bundesliga fixtures.

2:03

Watch: Hoffenheim 4-1 Hamburg - highlights

Hoffenheim bounced back from defeat to Borussia Dortmund by brushing aside Hamburg to land their eighth win in 14 Bundesliga games so far this season. Christian Ilzer's surprise package sit in fifth place, outside the top four on goal difference and only three points behind second-placed RB Leipzig.

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 15 fixture between VfB Stuttgart and TSG Hoffenheim.

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