Hoffenheim vs St. Paulli Prediction 02.11.2024 | Bundesliga

• Competition: Bundesliga
• Date: 02.11.2024
• Kickoff: 14:30 UK / 15:30 CET
• Venue: PreZero Arena (Sinsheim)

The schedule is packed at this stage of the season, with little time for rest and recovery.

For Hoffenheim, currently balancing European and domestic competitions, this upcoming game will mark the fifth in just two weeks. Competing on multiple fronts has clearly stretched the squad, exposing a lack of depth and resources needed to keep results steady in the Bundesliga. Sitting just above the relegation zone in 15th place with 8 points, Hoffenheim has won only once in the last seven league matches, with the latest outing ending in a goalless draw away to Heidenheim. The team also had DFB Cup commitments recently, narrowly beating a resilient Nürnberg side from the Zweite 2-1—a club that has struggled for years to return to the top tier.

St. Pauli has had slightly more recovery time but faces an even steeper challenge. With just one win since the season’s start, the club is 16th in the standings with 5 points. After two straight league losses, St. Pauli managed a hard-fought draw at home against Wolfsburg in the last match. Cup duties also called for St. Pauli, with an encounter against Leipzig in the DFB Pokal. Despite slim chances, St. Pauli put up a valiant fight, battling back twice to level the score before finally succumbing to the much stronger opponent.

Hoffenheim vs St. Pauli pick: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE

This is a big one for both teams, each in a tough spot and needing points badly. The pressure’s really on the home side, given their reputation, while the visitors are coming off a recent promotion and may feel they have less to lose. Hoffenheim’s recent cup win over Nürnberg should help their confidence a bit, especially since coach Pellegrino Matarazzo managed to rest some starters and give bench players more minutes. One of them, Haris Tabakovic, even scored, which might earn him more time on the field soon. St. Pauli, on the other hand, has been struggling to finish chances all season, but scoring twice against Leipzig could be a sign they’re turning a corner. They’ll be hoping to exploit Hoffenheim’s shaky backline, which has leaked 17 goals already. It’s hard to pick a clear winner here, so going with BTTS (both teams to score) feels like the safest bet.