Wolfsburg vs Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim Edge Closer to Bundesliga Survival in Clash with Struggling Wolfsburg

Hoffenheim can take a major step toward securing their Bundesliga status when they face Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena on Friday.

While Wolfsburg sit safely in 12th with 39 points—unable to qualify for Europe or face relegation—Hoffenheim are in a much tighter battle. Sitting 15th with 31 points after a thrilling 4-4 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach on May 3, they need just two more points to guarantee safety.

Wolfsburg’s European hopes were dashed last weekend after a crushing 4-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, leaving them 11 points behind sixth-placed RB Leipzig. Interim manager Daniel Bauer, who took over following Ralph Hasenhüttl’s dismissal on May 4, will be concerned by his team’s defensive struggles. The Wolves have conceded 10 goals in their last four matches and have failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 consecutive games.

Despite their recent struggles, Wolfsburg have had Hoffenheim’s number this season—beating them twice: a 3-0 DFB-Pokal victory in December and a 1-0 league win in January. However, Bauer’s side is in dire form, winless in their last eight matches (losing six) and failing to score in five of those games.

Adding to their woes, Wolfsburg have lost their last three home matches and drew the three before that at the Volkswagen Arena.

Meanwhile, Hoffenheim will feel they should have claimed all three points against Gladbach after fighting back from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits to lead 4-3 in the 81st minute—only to concede a stoppage-time equalizer.

With survival within reach, Hoffenheim will be determined to capitalize against a vulnerable Wolfsburg side.

The team led by head coach Christian Ilzer has scored at least two goals in each of their last four games, and their current 10-goal total is higher than their previous nine-goal total.

Hoffenheim is winless in three games and has only won one of their last eight games, losing four and drawing three.

Given that they have lost three of their last four away games and drawn the other, the visitors' away performance has been subpar in recent weeks.