Hoffenheim have lost each of their previous four meetings with English clubs, conceding at least twice each time, while Spurs are without a win in three visits to Germany, claiming victory during only three of their last 14 outings on German soil.
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview
Can Tottenham Hotspur claim a much-needed victory? On Sunday, Ange Postecoglou's side were shambolically beaten by Everton, 3-0 down by half time at Goodison meaning, by the time Dejan Kuluševski and then Richarlison struck late on, it was too little too late. This though was far from a one off, considering the Lilywhites have yielded just a solitary points from their last six Premier League fixtures, their sole win from their last ten outings coming over rock-bottom Southampton. This leaves Spurs languishing in 15th, on course for their lowest-finish since '94, currently closer to the bottom three than the top ten.
Nevertheless, the cup competitions is what provides Spurs supporters with solace, simply desperate to end the club's 17-year trophy draught. In the Europa League, Tottenham made a perfect start to the league phase, winning each of their first three matches, claiming victories over Qarabağ, Ferencváros and AZ. However, since then, in line with their league form, Postecoglou's team have failed to win any of their last three, beaten by Galatasaray on a truly bonkers night in İstanbul, before back-to-back draws with Roma at home and Rangers in Glasgow.
Nevertheless, Spurs sit ninth in the gigantic league table, only outside the guaranteed last 16 places by virtue of goal difference, knowing a victory here, and then when Elfsborg visit North London next Thursday, will guarantee progression. Sounds simply, right? Well, given Tottenham's current form, beating no one can be taken for granted.
Well, if Spurs supporters think they're enduring a miserable campaign, they should ask their Hoffenheim counterparts. Under Dietmar Hopp's ownership, die Kraichgauer have established themselves as a force in German football, ever-presents in the Bundesliga since achieving back-to-back promotions in 2008, with this the fourth time they've got into Europe.
However, following a disastrous start to the season, manager Pellegrino Matarazzo was sacked, replaced by Christian Ilzer in November, and, as recently as a week ago, his team were in the relegation zone. This was until, on Saturday, Adam Hložek's brace saw them beat top-flight debutants Holstein Kiel 3-1, claiming their maiden away win of the season, ending a six-match winless streak in the Bundesliga, hauling them three points clear of danger.
In Europe meantime, defeat for Hoffenheim here could see them eliminated with a game still to play. Die Kraichgauer have won only once in the league phase so far, beating Dynamo Kyiv at home in October, also holding Midtjylland, Lyon and FCSB to draws, but suffering successive defeats in Northern Portugal at the hands of both Porto and Braga. So, while they're now unbeaten in six group stage matches at Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Spurs should be too strong in Sinsheim.
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham Hotspur Head-to-Head Record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Hoffenheim Team News
Christian Ilzer is without Ozan Kabak, Christopher Lenz, Diadié Samassékou, Anton Stach, Grischa Prömel, Umut Tohumcu, Marius Bülter and Ihlas Bebou due to injury, while young forward Erencan Yardımcı, who's been recalled from his loan at Sturm Graz, isn't in the UEFA squad. In the absence of the latter, Gift Orban is likely to partner Andrej Kramarić in attack. The latter, who is Croatia's fourth-highest scorer of all-time, described Hoffenheim's season as, to paraphrase, very bad following their 5-0 hammering at Bayern Munich last Wednesday. Arthur Chaves would miss next week's visit to Anderlecht if booked.
Hoffenheim predicted lineup vs Tottenham Hotspur: (4-4-1-1): Baumann; Gendry, Chaves, Akpoguma, Prass; Becker, Bischof, Hložek, Moerstedt, Kramarić; Orban.
Hoffenheim Player to Watch vs Tottenham Hotspur
Gift Orban is likely to lead the line; he holds the record for the fastest-ever hat-trick in UEFA competition, scoring thrice in just three minutes and 25 seconds against İstanbul Başakşehir for Gent two years ago.
Tottenham Hotspur Team News
Tottenham, like their hosts, are depleted; there's still no Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Yves Bissouma, Wilson Odobert or Timo Werner, while Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke are now the latest players to move into the ever-expanding treatment room. In better news, Ben Davies made his first appearance since 5 December at the weekend, while Rodrigo Bentancur could return, having suffered a serious concussion against Liverpool a fortnight ago. Goalkeeper though could be an issue, given that new signing Antonín Kinský can't be registered for UEFA competition until the knockout stages so, with Vicario and Fraser Forster sidelined, Brandon Austin is in line to make just his second Spurs appearance, his long-awaited debut coming against Newcastle earlier this month. Radu Drăgușin, Bentancur and Dejan Kuluševski would sit out the matchday eight clash with Elfsborg if cautioned and the last thing Ange Postecoglou needs right now is more players to be unavailable!
Tottenham Hotspur predicted lineup vs Hoffenheim: (4-2-3-1): Austin; Porro, Drăgușin, Davies, Spence; Matar Sarr, Gray, Bergvall, Kuluševski, Maddison; Son Heung-min.
Tottenham Hotspur Player to Watch vs Hoffenheim
Son Heung-min has 30 goals in UEFA competition to his name, on target against Roma in November, although the South Korean has only ever scored once in nine previous meetings with Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham Hotspur Prediction
We are backing Spurs for a crucial victory in this one, mainly due to the fact hosts Hoffenheim have been largely awful this season, lifting some of the mounting pressure off Postecoglou: Hoffenheim 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur.
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham Hotspur FAQs - Europa League
How to watch Hoffenheim vs Tottenham Hotspur Europa League game on TV channel?
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham Hotspur Europa League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 2
- USA: Paramount+, ViX & TUDN USA.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Hoffenheim vs Tottenham Hotspur Europa League game on live streaming?
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham Hotspur Europa League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Hoffenheim vs Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League?
Hoffenheim vs Tottenham Hotspur takes place on Thursday 23 January 2025, with kick off at 17:45 (BST), 12:45 (ET) & 9:45 (PDT).