There are just four games left in the Bundesliga season and there is still plenty to play for in terms of European competition spots. A big game, for both the Europa League and the Champions League, gets the weekend started on Friday, June 12 when Hoffenheim hosts RB Leipzig. This game will air live on FS2 at 2:30 p.m. EST.
Entering matchday 31, Hoffenheim sit in seventh place, on 43 points, and are just two points away from that final Europa League spot. Hoffenheim have been coming on strong from the restart and still are in good place for a Europa League spot next season. If Bayern Munich or Bayer Leverkusen win the DFB Pokal then seventh place will go into the Europa League next season. Hoffenheim lead Freiburg by two points and Hertha Berlin and Schalke by five points.
RB Leipzig have been incredibly disappointing since the restart and find themselves in a fight to stay in the Champions League spots. Leipzig currently sit in third place, on 59 points, and lead Monchengladbach and Leverkusen by three points. RB Leipzig has a massive goal differential, so as long as they can stay level on points, at the very least, with the other two clubs they will have Champions League soccer next season.
Below is my pick for the Bundesliga action between Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig All odds are from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Hoffenheim (+490) vs RB Leipzig (-220) Draw (+400)
Hoffenheim went to Dusseldorf last weekend and came back from a goal deficit, and a man down, to fight to a 2-2 draw. Dusseldorf went up 1-0 in the fifth minute, and then went a man up in the ninth minute, but they actually saw themselves trailing 2-1 as late as the 75th minute. Eventually Hoffenheim tired down and Dusseldorf got the equalizer in the 76th minute. It was a disappointing draw for Hoffenheim but being down a man for over 80 minutes took its toll. On a four-game unbeaten run, Hoffenheim have taken advantage of a week restart schedule. Hoffenheim are the seventh worst home club in Germany thanks to a 6-1-8 record and 19 points.
RB Leipzig cannot get out of their own way as they once again went a man down and played to a disappointing home draw. Leipzig hosted bottom of the table Paderborn went up 1-0 in the 27th minute but handicapped themselves by going a man down in the 43rd minute. RB looked like they were going to hang on for the 1-0 win, but Christian Strohdiek tapped home a rebound in the 92nd minute to give Paderborn the 1-1 draw. Leipzig are unbeaten with the restart, but have suffered disappointing home draws against Freiburg, Hertha and Paderborn. RB Leipzig are the, tied, second best road club in the league thanks to a 9-4-2 record and 31 points.
Series History: These two clubs have met eight times in the past and it is RB Leipzig who hold a 4-2-2 advantage. RB Leipzig won the reverse fixture 3-1 in early December.
Game Prediction: I’ve been incredibly disappointed with RB Leipzig since the restart, but Hoffenheim have not played a team with Leipzig’s quality in quite some time, so I am backing RB Leipzig to get a road win.
2020 Results: 46-35