Hertha Berlin forward Salomon Kalou. (Photo : Getty Images)
Lowly team TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (7-12-10, 31 points) is set to take on the challenge of top three squad Hertha Berlin SC (14-8-7, 49 points) at the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena this Saturday, April 16th in a 2015-2016 Bundesliga season matchup.
Hoffenheim is currently at the no. 14 spot of the league table, precariously three points away from the bottom three relegation zone, but they are on a four-game unbeaten run. They have also avoided defeat in five of their last six matches and they aim to continue their good performance as the season winds down to its final five matchdays.
Die Kraichgauer is coming off a 2-0 victory over bottom three squad Eintracht Frankfurt last Saturday at the Commerzbank Arena, as per ESPN.
The two teams started shakily as both failed to score a single goal in the entire first half of play. Hoffenheim finally netted a goal two minutes after the hour mark with a right-footed shot from German attacking midfielder Nadiem Amiri.
Manager Julian Nagelsmann's boys then sealed the win right at the stroke of full time with a close range shot from striker Mark Uth, handing Frankfurt its second consecutive loss.
Meanwhile, Hertha Berlin will look to bounce back from its recent struggles as the team has been winless in their last two assignments.
The capital city squad is still at the no. 3 spot of the league table, but they are only a point above fourth-running team Bayer Leverkusen and four points adrift of fifth-placed club Borussia Monchengladbach. With that, head coach Pál Dárdai and his crew must string a few wins in their remaining matchdays if they want to seal their Champions League berth for next season.
Die Alte Dame is coming off a 2-2 draw with bottom dwellers Hannover 96 at their own home field of Olympiastadion on April 8th, via Goal.
Bosnian striker Vedad Ibisevic drew first blood right at the third minute, but Hannover scored the next two goals to take the lead, courtesy of Artur Sobiech and Manuel Schmiedebach at the 18th and 58th minutes respectively.
Hertha was fortunate to get the equalizer at the 72nd with a goal from Ivorian striker Salomon Kalou to avoid a second straight loss and keep their third place spot in the overall standings.
The predicted result is a 2-1 decision for Hertha Berlin.
Hoffenheim starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Baumann; Kaderabek, Schar, Sule, Toljan; Strobl, Rudy; Kramaric, Ochs, Volland; Vargas
Hertha Berlin starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Jarstein; Pekarik, Langkamp, Stark, Plattenhardt; Skjelbred, Cigerci; Weiser, Kalou, Haraguchi; Ibisevic
