TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund have confirmed their starting lineups for this afternoon’s Bundesliga encounter at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena. Kickoff is scheduled for 15:30 CET as both teams look to make their mark in the early stages of the season.
For the hosts, Tim Lemperle makes an immediate return to the starting XI after serving his suspension. He will feature in attack alongside Václav Hložek and Adam Daghim. Hoffenheim’s lineup sees Baumann in goal, a defensive quartet of Coufal, Kabak, Hajdari, and Rots, with Wimmer, Avdullahu, and Burger forming the midfield.
Hoffenheim Aim for Home Advantage
Christian Ilzer’s Hoffenheim side will be determined to secure their first points of the campaign on home soil. They suffered a 3-2 defeat to FC Köln in their opening fixture, despite goals from Adam Daghim and Ozan Kabak. The return of Lemperle provides a significant boost to their attacking options. However, Hoffenheim will still be without Fisnik Asllani and Alexander Prass, who remain unavailable for selection.
Last season, Hoffenheim secured a 2-1 victory against Dortmund at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena, a result they will hope to replicate to kickstart their season and keep their European aspirations alive.
Dortmund’s Injury Challenges
Borussia Dortmund arrive in Sinsheim having begun their league season with a 2-0 victory over Hamburger SV, with Serhou Guirassy and Giannis Konstantelias both finding the net. However, the team faces considerable challenges due to a growing list of injuries and suspensions. Giannis Konstantelias is a long-term absentee after sustaining an ACL injury, while Samuele Inacio is suspended following a red card in their last league outing. Key defenders Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can are also unavailable, stretching Dortmund’s squad depth.
Despite these setbacks, Dortmund’s starting XI features Kobel in goal, a defensive trio of Gadou, Anton, and Mane. The midfield comprises Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, and Svensson, with Karetsas and Beier supporting lone striker Serhou Guirassy. To bolster their squad, Dortmund recently completed a loan move for Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri, who spent time at Marseille last term.
Early Season Stakes
This Bundesliga fixture carries significant weight for both clubs. Hoffenheim are under pressure to bounce back from their opening-day defeat and avoid losing further ground in the race for European qualification. For Borussia Dortmund, maintaining their perfect start is crucial, especially as they navigate a period with several key players missing. A positive result away from home would reinforce their early season momentum and underline their ambitions despite the current squad challenges.