The Cretan club finished only seventh last season. However, they managed to win the cup and, after the summer break, the Super Cup as well. They also opened their league campaign with a victory, but then suffered defeat to Aris. After that, they beat both Kifisia and Olympiacos, while also advancing comfortably in the cup.
The Zinshausen-based side missed out by a single point in the spring, finishing on 61 points to Stuttgart’s 62 in the battle for fourth place. They made a strong start in the cup, thrashing Erzgebirge 4-0. However, they lost to their first Bundesliga opponents, going down 2-3 away to Cologne and by the same score at home to Borussia Dortmund. They finally picked up a win against Stuttgart, prevailing 2-1.
The Greeks surprisingly swept aside their opponents in the European qualifying rounds, Sofia-based CSKA. They demolished the Bulgarians 3-0 at home and then scored two unanswered goals away from home. For the Germans, this will be their Europa League opener.
Previous meetings: OFI vs Hoffenheim
This will be the first visit by the German side to this opponent.
Despite all their problems on the domestic stage, the visitors are still the superior team. We are backing them to win with a handicap of “-1.0 goals” (odds: 1.65).
OFI vs Hoffenheim: key statistics and trends
OFI have won three matches in a row
OFI score an average of 1.5 goals and concede 0.5 goals per match
Both teams have scored in 25% of OFI’s matches, while the average total goals per game is 2.0
Hoffenheim have lost twice in three league matches
Hoffenheim score an average of two goals and concede 2.33 goals per match
Both teams have scored in 100% of Hoffenheim’s matches, while the average total goals per game is 4.33
OFI vs Hoffenheim: possible starting lineups
OFI play in a 1-3-4-2-1 formation (possible lineup): Christogeorgos – Krizmanic, Pungouras, Karahalios – Kainourgiakis, Gonzalez, Bouchalakis, Kanellopoulos – Apostolakis, Kantalapiedra – Kodro
Hoffenheim play in a 1-4-4-2 formation (possible lineup): Baumann – Rots, Haidari, Kabak, Coufal – Dagim, Burger, Avdullahu, Wimmer – Lemperle, Hlozek
