St. Pauli vs Hoffenheim Prediction & Betting Tips (19 October)

It has now been more than a year since Sankt Pauli was able to return to the highest level of German football. Last year, for its return to the elite, the Hamburg-based club was able to take 14th place in the final to maintain itself and there is no doubt that it would sign to do as well this year to establish itself permanently in the Bundesliga. The passage times are rather good for the moment for the Pirates of the League who find themselves in the soft underbelly of the ranking after the first 6 days. But after getting off to a good start, Sankt Pauli has stalled a bit in recent weeks with setbacks against Stuttgart 2-0, Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 and finally Werder Bremen 1-0 before the international break. For its part, Hoffenheim experienced serious cold sweats last year, settling for 15th final place in the standings, not so far ahead of dam operator.

Having passed very close to the correctional, the TSG was expected to have a better level this year but it is struggling to confirm the hopes placed in it for the moment. And since their last success on the field of Union Berlin at the start of September 2-4, Christian Ilzer's men have gone 3 games without a victory against Bayern 1-4, Friborg 0-0 and Cologne 0-1. With 7 points, Hoffe is in 11th place in the ranking. 

Among the locals, offensive summer recruit Jones will not be able to play this match. On top of that, Irvine and Mets midfielders and defender Nemeth will also have to throw in the towel this week, all injured. The playmaker Sinani (2 goals), the former Caen and Rodez striker Andreas Hountondji (3 goals) and the Franco-Portuguese Pereira-Lage (ex-Lens and Angers) should be candidates for a place in Pauli's starting 11. On the Hoffenheim side, the French Gendrey, the defender Kabak, the summer recruit Machida, and striker Hlozek (2nd top scorer last season) form a fairly significant list of absentees which also includes the young striker promising Moersted.

Conversely, rookie Asllani (4 goals, 1 assist) should be able to hold his place today. He could be aligned in support of the interesting Lemperle who has scored 2 goals since the start of the season.