There is plenty of action to enjoy in Germany this week as we enter the round of 16 stage of the DFB Pokal. There are some great games to look forward to including the meeting between Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim. The hosts come into this game sitting top of the Bundesliga whereas the visitors are in 7th place, 9 points behind Bayern Munich.
Despite not being at their best this season, Bayern Munich moved to the top of the Bundesliga thanks to a 3-1 victory at Mainz on the weekend. That was their 7th straight victory in all competitions following wins over Werder Bremen, Wolfsburg and Schalke at home in the league, Freiburg and Hertha Berlin away in the league and Tottenham Hotspur at home in the Champions League.
This season in the DFB Pokal, Bayern Munich have played 2 games and defeated Energie Cottbus and Bochum away from home. Therefore, this will be their first DFB Pokal home fixture this season. Trends show Bayern Munich have won each of their last 8 DFB Pokal games with one requiring extra time following a draw against Hertha Berlin last season.
Als Tabellenführer in die neue Woche! 💪 pic.twitter.com/xsOvMquz95— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) February 3, 2020
Als Tabellenführer in die neue Woche! 💪 pic.twitter.com/xsOvMquz95
Bayern Munich rarely lose in this competition and they have tasted defeat just twice in their last 25 matches. Bayern Munich have won 3 of the last 4 meetings between the teams.
Hoffenheim travel to Munich having picked up a good 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on the weekend. It was an important win against a team who are now only one point ahead of them in 5th place in the table and means Champions League qualification is certainly attainable for Hoffenheim this season.
However, they would also like to add some silverware to the cabinet but this is going to be a tough game. Hoffenheim have won 4 of their last 5 competitive matches, all of which have come in the Bundesliga. They started their DFB Pokal campaign with a penalty shootout win against Wurzburger Kickers following an entertaining 3-3 draw. Hoffenheim’s second game on the competition proved to be straight forward as they defeated MSV Duisburg 2-0 away from home.
Hoffenheim have never progressed further than the quarter final stage of this competition and may find it tough to better that this season. However, they have already defeated Bayern Munich once this season in the Bundesliga, winning 2-1 in Munich.
Team news and Bayern Munich are still without injured duo Javier Martinez and Niklas Süle.
Kingsley Coman is a doubt due to a knee injury but Lucas Hernandez is back in training following an ankle problem.
Hoffenheim travel without midfielder Dennis Geiger and goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Philipp Ochs, Ishak Belfodil and Sargis Adamyan are all doubts for this game.
Despite enjoying success at Bayern Munich earlier this season, the German champions appear to be turning their form around at the right time and this could be tough for Hoffenheim. The visitors may score a goal but expect to see Bayern Munich win the match and progress to the quarter final.