Hoffenheim vs Freiburg Predictions, Betting Tips, & Match Preview

Hoffenheim’s “great escape” from relegation last season can only be accredited to one man, coach Julian Nagelsmann. Nagelsmann is the youngest ever Bundesliga coach and was only 28 years old when he took the first-team reins in February 2016. He pushed Hoffenheim to safety with an attacking and entertaining brand of football which he has continued to apply through their opening six matches. Nagelsmann’s earlier statement that “relegation is not a thought ahead of the new season” is a well-placed confident attitude. He has implemented his tactics well so far, showing signs of a more consistent future for the side; Hoffenheim are unbeaten so far in the 2016/2017 Bundesliga season, winning two and drawing four, and come into this off a 2-1 win away to Ingolstadt 2-1.

Freiburg kept their perfect home record going with a 1-0 win over in-form Eintracht Frankfurt two weeks back, extending their streak to nine consecutive home wins. Coach Christian Streich – the man who guided Freiburg to UEFA Europa League football in extraordinary fashion in 2013 –  will, however, now turn his focus to improving on away form. Freiburg have lost all three of their away fixtures so far: one 2-1 defeat at Hertha BSC, one 3-0 defeat at Cologne and one 3-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund. Though for a newly promoted side, these are not major upsets. Freiburg will, however, consider a trip to last year’s relegation fighters to be a potential match to take at least a point away from.

Though Hoffenheim are the bookies’ favourites coming into this match at 23/20, we feel there is much better value for this match to end deadlocked. While Hoffenheim remain unbeaten in six and come into this off the back of two consecutive wins, it must be noted that their start to the new season hasn’t been particularly challenging. Hoffenheim narrowly beat the hugely out-of-form Schalke and Ingolstadt but drew their opening four to mid-table or weaker sides. Freiburg, meanwhile, have had an extremely tough run of fixtures on the road – Hertha, Cologne and Dortmund are all strong sides – but, nonetheless, have taken away a few “consolation” goals from their travels. Such a balance is only made more appealing when looking over recent head-to-head trends for this match-up: 7 of the 15 total meetings between them has ended with a draw (47%).

As such, draw at 12/5 and a 2-2 draw at 9/1 with bet365 are our choice bets for this match.