Fortuna Dusseldorf’s campaign is still in danger. They have not been able to climb up and avoid the red zone on the table as they are still sitting on the sixteenth. This weekend will be another challenge for Uwe Rosler’s men since they will be hosting Hoffenheim, which have been on fire lately. It is a definite must-win game for them for their own safety but Hoffenheim also need three points to bring them closer to the Europa League spot next season.
The teams’ previous matches
Erik Thommy and Co were simply powerless last week as they met Bayern on the road. They were crushed 0-5 in Allianz Arena. Zanka’s own goal was in fact the score opener for Die Roeten. Their form even worsened as Benjamin Pavard doubled the lead. Robert Lewandowski also scored a brace before Alphonse Davies overlapped and netted the last goal of the game.
Hoffenheim, on the other hand, managed to endure their positive trend by a narrow win against Mainz. In spite of dominating the game and knocking on the doors most of the time, they could only score one goal by Ihlas Bebou.
Possible tactic
The former Manchester City man in mid 1990s, Uwe Rosler had better not deploy 4-1-4-1 formation again as it was a total failure in Munich last week. The 3-5-2 one seems fit best for the team with the transition to 5-3-2 if necessary. Keenan Karaman and Rouwen Hennings are the best dynamic duo they could have supported by Erick Thommy, Kevin Stoger and the Kosovo international Valon Berisha.
Meanwhile, Alfred Schreuder is likely to be in favour of 3-1-4-2 with the transition to 4-2-3-1 while defending. Christoph Baumgartner and Ihlas Bebou might be put in the line up as the frontmen, with Munas Dabbur or Jacob Bruun Larssen as the back-up. Robert Skov and Pavel Kaderabek will be supporting them from both flanks.
Players to watch
Fortuna Dusseldorf’s top performers are striker Rouwen Hennings, the current club’s top scorer with twelve goals, the versatile Erik Thommy, Keenan Karaman and Kevin Stoger. Another notable name to watch is the goalkeeper Florian Kastenmaier, who performed quite well last week despite being conceded five goals.
In Hoffenheim, their key figures since the restart are certainly the versatile Danish international, Robert Skov with four goals and five assists, Sebastian Rudy and the twenty-year-old Austrian attacking midfielder who could be playing as false nine, Christoph Baumgartner who scored a brace in the midweek fixture.
Duesseldorf vs Hoffenheim Prediction
Three points are precious for both teams. Thus, they both are expected to play offensive and score as many as possible. However, considering both form lately, the visitor side could have better chance to win the game with more options in their squad. Dusselforf, in fact, are in need of improving their finish so as not to rely on fortune again to score as they did while hosting Schalke.
Betting odds
The match is quite even according to the punters. The host is projected to win at 2.80. The draw result is at 3.40, while Sebastian Rudy and Co are backed to win at 2.45.
