Hoffenheim v Tottenham preview: Team news, betting odds, lineups, where to watch
Tottenham travel to Germany on Thursday to face Hoffenheim in Europa League action.
Off the back of a shock 3-2 defeat to Everton, Tottenham turn their attentions to the Europa League with an away tie against Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim.
Ange Postecoglou remains under growing pressure, but it’s understood that the Spurs boss will be safe until “at least” 6 February [The Sun] when Tottenham face Liverpool in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final.
Spurs need a win to ease some of the concerns, while Hoffenheim will have a similar ambition.
Preview
All the focus from the game will be on Spurs and Postecoglou, with the Premier League outfit enduring a wretched season that keeps getting worse.
Spurs have won just two of their last eight in all competitions, one of those coming against non-league Tamworth in extra time.
The Lilywhites find themselves ninth in the Europa League league standings, while Hoffenheim are 26th and enduring a pretty rough season themselves.
The German outfit have just one win in their last 10 in all competitions and will no doubt be relishing the opportunity to host a Spurs side in such disarray.
Form Guide (All competitions)
Hoffenheim: WLLLD
Tottenham: LLWWL
Head-To-Head
Thursday’s encounter between Hoffenheim and Tottenham will be the first time the two sides have faced off in competition action.
Team news
Hoffenheim have a similar issue to Spurs when it comes to injuries, with eight players set to miss the clash through injury.
Ex-Liverpool defender Ozan Kabak is sidelined alongside Diadie Samassekou and six others, while their recent addition Gift Orban, an ex-Spurs target, is ineligible.
As for Tottenham, their situation isn’t getting any better with many players still sidelined.
Dominic Solanke will miss out alongside the already long list of absentees, but a return for Rodrigo Bentancur could be possible after a time out of the side due to concussion protocols.
Predicted lineups
Hoffenheim: Baumann, Gendrey, Chaves, Akpoguma, Prass, Stach, Bischof, Hlozek, Kramaric, Mokwa, Moerstedt
Tottenham: Kinsky, Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Reguilon, Sarr, Bergvall, Maddison, Moore, Kulusevski, Lankshear
Betting Odds
Hoffenheim: 2/1
Draw: 11/4
Tottenham: 6/5
Where to watch?
Spurs’ encounter with Hoffenheim will be live on TNT Sports for UK viewers, with the game scheduled to take place on Thursday 23 January at 5:45pm GMT.
Prediction: Hoffenheim 1-3 Tottenham
Given the injury concerns defensively, it’s hard to see Spurs keeping a clean sheet, but with the attacking options available, it should be enough to secure the win.
Both sides are struggling in their respective campaigns, but Tottenham have far more quality in their side and anything less than a win would be disappointing.
In other Tottenham news, this player “could be done” at Spurs after what he did against Everton.
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