German Bundesliga - Fortuna Dusseldorf vs. Hoffenheim - Preview & Prediction

Still battling for a position in the top-six, 7th-placed Hoffenheim will pay a visit to 16th-placed Fortuna Dusseldorf, who are trying to avoid relegation this season. Kick-off - at 9:30 AM ET on Saturday, June 6.

Dusseldorf Get Thrashed By Bayern

A six-game unbeaten run (W2 D4) came to an end for Fortuna Dusseldorf, who was battered with a count of 5-0 by reigning champions Bayern Munich away at Allianz Arena on Saturday. Die Flingeraner controlled the ball just 31% of the time and were outshot 21-7, managing to deliver just two shots on goal, with Kenan Karaman and Andre Hofmann ultimately coming closest to scoring. Defender Zanka did get on the scoresheet, but with a snipe into his own net, as the Rhineland club still remains in the 16th position in the league (W6 D9 L14), facing a relegation play-off as it stands, sitting one point from outright safety.

German striker Rouwen Hennings leads Fortuna Dusseldorf with 12 Bundesliga goals and has found the back of the net in each of his last two games against Hoffenheim. Goalie Florian Kastenmeier, meanwhile, sits 20th in the league with 40 saves, having also picked up two clean sheets in 12 appearances this season. He allows a goal every 49 minutes on average. Die Flingeraner are 2nd in the least goals scored so far this year (31), 14th in most shots delivered per game (12.1), 15th in ball possession (46.0%) and 12th in passing accuracy (76.9%).

Hoffenheim Win Second Straight

Hoffenheim kept their hopes of finishing in the top-six this season firmly in sight after banking their second consecutive victory following a 1-0 win against Mainz away at Opel Arena on Saturday. The hosts delivered the majority of shots (18-12), but Die Kraichgauer had the most scoring chances, including from the penalty spot 27 minutes into the contest, with Steven Zuber’s effort saved by Mainz goalie. Substitute Ihlas Bebou eventually netted the only marker of the game just before the half-time, with Hoffenheim keeping their 7th position in the league (W12 D6 L11), still being on level points with 6th-placed Hoffenheim, but with an inferior goal differential.

Currently bagging six goals, Austrian attacking midfielder Christoph Baumgartner will try to match injured Andrej Kramaric’s team-leading seven snipes for the season, having already netted two markers in his last two Bundesliga appearances. Goalie Oliver Baumann, meanwhile, has made 86 saves this year, sitting 5th in the league’s keeper chart. He has five clean sheets in 25 outings this season and gives up a goal every 51 minutes. Hoffenheim are 10th in most goals netted this season (40), 11th in most shots taken per game (12.8), and 5th in both ball possession (52.0%) and passing accuracy (81.9%).

Prediction

A total of 15 points and eight places separate both teams in the current standings of the Bundesliga, with Fortuna Dusseldorf trying to avoid relegation, and Hoffenheim vying for a top-six spot. Head-to-head, though, both sides have performed extremely similarly. Both have snatched a home victory each against one another, with the other three fixtures all ending as 1-1 draws. Die Flingeraner have also drawn four of their past six Bundesliga matches, while three of the previous four road contests of Die Kraichgauer have all ended with 1-1 stalemates.

Best bets:

Draw (+260)

Correct score: 1-1 (+550)