It's close at the top of the Bundesliga table these days, and both Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen will be hoping to stay amongst the leaders with a win on Wednesday night. Roger Schmidt's Leverkusen side are just one point and three places above their hosts - so both teams will know it's all to play for heading into German football's winter break.
"I'd rather win a game convincingly 2-0"
- Markus Gisdol
Hoffenheim boast one of the best striking line-ups in the Bundesliga - with Kevin Volland, Robert Firmino and Co. already knocking in 24 goals this season, but Hoffenheim boss Markus Gisdol is eager to bring some stability to their performances - and results - without having to rely on the high-scoring games at both ends that have characterised their play: "I’d rather win a game convincingly with a 2-0 scoreline than produce a spectacular 3-3 draw,” he said.
Gisdol's side are in an impressive 7th place in the Bundesliga table, however, and are just one point behind third-placed Leverkusen. Both these sides will be expecting to finish in the top four come the end of the campaign, and as such the game has a vital feel to it; a win for either side will push forward their Champions League credentials. Hoffenheim will go into Wednesday night's game after a late winner from Firmino gave them a valuable 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
"I'm expecting a top level match at Hoffenheim"
- Roger Schmidt
For visitors Leverkusen and manager Schmidt, this game presents an opportunity to prove themselves against a fellow top Bundesliga table. Hoffenheim will provide the perfect test as the first half of the German season comes to a close, and Schdmit spoke pre-match about how he expects a quality game at the Rhein-Neckar Arena: "I’m expecting a top level match at Hoffenheim. We need to carry over the lively performances in the recent games and we want to test ourselves to the limit again and then we’ll be able to get a result."
Leverkusen are in good shape this season - they sit third in the Bundesliga table, and have booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, drawn against Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. With 24 points from 15 games, Leverkusen sit six points behind Wolfsburg in second, and will be hoping to keep the pressure on them and Bayern Munich at the top of the table. Schmidt will be hoping his side can get back to winning ways after a 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend cost them ground on their nearest rivals.