Hoffenheim youngster Amiri can cause problems for Leipzig

Bundesliga
2.30pm Saturday

Second-placed Leipzig are heading to Hoffenheim at a seemingly good time, though Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men still look a bit on the short side for what could never be construed as an easy Bundesliga assignment.

Hoffenheim go into the game on a run of just one win in eight, and that was away at struggling Cologne.

Leipzig, in contrast, have lost only twice in the last couple of months, and those defeats were at Bayern Munich and Porto, so there was no disgrace in either.

Hasenhuttl’s side even enjoyed a clean sheet last week, beating Werder Bremen 2-0. In all competitions, that was just their second shutout in 16 matches.

What that tells us is that Hoffenheim must have an outstanding chance of breaching the Leipzig defence as odds of 8-15 that both teams score amply illustrate.

The downside for coach Julian Nagelsmann is that it looks as though top scorer Sandro Wagner might miss out with a groin injury while Serge Gnabry is also a doubt (and would probably be omitted anyway).

That will mean a recall for young forward Nadiem Amiri, who is available at 16-1 to score first.

Nagelsmann is set to revert to a back four for this match with Pavel Kaderabek coming in for suspended skipper Kevin Vogt. His absence is a major blow for Hoffenheim, who are desperate to stop the rot after what had been a flying start to the season.

Recommendation
N Amiri first goalscorer
1pt each-way 16-1 bet365

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