Prediction: Hoffenheim vs Bayern Munich

Verdict: Hoffenheim double chance

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Luckster

Simply looking to sign off the 2023/24 campaign with a final weekend flurry, Bayern Munich will travel to Hoffenheim on Saturday afternoon.

Hoffenheim

Starting with the hosts, while Bayern Munich might have nothing left to play for heading into Saturday’s showdown, Hoffenheim face what is a season-defining battle this weekend. Currently holding a one-point buffer in the chase to claim a famous European return, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s men will know the importance of making a major statement here. Last seen putting in a thumping performance as they stormed their way to a 6-0 romp away at Darmstadt, the former Stuttgart boss has seen his squad lose just one of their previous four Bundesliga appearances. Bouncing back from their blip on either side of March’s international break, Hoffenheim will also be excited by their recent success on home soil. Including an action-packed 4-3 win against Borussia Monchengladbach on April 20th, Saturday’s hosts have collected seven points from their last three battles at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Hoffenheim have confirmed that the duo of Mergim Berisha and Marco John will not feature here. Likewise, not featuring since returning from March’s international break, one-time PSG defender Stanley Nsoki remains on the sidelines this weekend.

Bagging a Bundesliga brace away at at Darmstadt last week, Togo international Ihlas Bebou will be hoping to keep his spot leading Matarazzo’s attack. However, returning to Hoffenheim’s squad following a minor knock, former Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst could make a first Bundesliga start since April 26th.

Bayern Munich

As for the visitors, relinquishing their Bundesliga crown this season, Bayern Munich have endured a public domestic struggle. With it already confirmed that Saturday’s trip to Hoffenheim will be Thomas Tuchel’s final game in the dugout, Saturday’s guests will also end the 2023/24 campaign without a single piece of silverware. Suffering an infamous Champions League collapse away at Spanish giants Real Madrid last week as they eventually fell to a 3-2 aggregate defeat, the former Chelsea boss has seen his squad gain a reputation for their extended issues away from the Allianz. Including a 3-1 drumming at the hands of Stuttgart earlier in the month, Bayern have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous 10 matchups outside of Munich across all competitions – a rut that stems all the way back to January 27th.

Team News

While England skipper Harry Kane might have missed out against Wolfsburg last weekend after dealing with a back issue, Bayern’s attacking talisman is expected to make a full return on Saturday afternoon. However, Tuchel’s side will be unable to call upon the likes of Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Raphael Guerreiro here.

Likewise, Germany international Jamal Musiala is not expected to feature at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena this weekend. Despite enduring a Champions League nightmare against Real Madrid, Min-Jae Kim should once again partner French defender Dayot Upamecano at the heart of Bayern’s defence.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich met for their reverse Bundesliga showdown on January 12th, Saturday’s guests collected a 3-0 romp at the Allianz.
• The now-former German champions have collected 16 points from their previous six Bundesliga meetings against Hoffenheim.
• However, Bayern Munich have collected just a pair of wins from any of their previous 10 consecutive appearances away from the Allianz.
• Hoffenheim have collected seven points from their previous three Bundesliga appearances at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena.
• England skipper Harry Kane has recorded 36 goals in his 32 Bundesliga appearances this season.

Conclusion

Although Hoffenheim might open their season finale tipped as a real underdog with the bookmakers, Saturday’s hosts face what is a season-defining affair here. Knowing that maximum points would be enough to drag them to a stunning European return, some in Matarazzo’s camp could be smelling an opportunity this weekend. With Bayern continuing to show some glaring issues outside of Munich and with nothing left to play for as they sign off Tuchel’s tenure, we are backing a home double chance at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena.

Verdict: Hoffenheim double chance

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Luckster