Hoffenheim are likely to rotate their lineup a bit here. OFI Crete battled against three strongest Greek teams this season and didn't lose once, so I like their chances of snatching a point against the German side.
Key Stats
- OFI Crete are unbeaten in 9 of their last 10 matches.
- OFI Crete have scored 13 goals in their last 5 home matches.
- Hoffenheim are winless in 4 of their last 6 matches (including pre-season).
- Hoffenheim have seen BTTS in their last 3 matches.
No Previous Meetings
This is going to be the first head to head match between OFI Crete and Hoffenheim.
OFI Standing Strong in Greece
OFI Crete won the Greek Cup last season which got them to the Europa League qualifying playoffs where they battled and crushed CSKA Sofia 5-0 on aggregate.
Christos Kontis' side is having a strong start to the new Super League 1 campaign, grabbing nine points in twelve matches. Last weekend, they caused a massive upset by defeating Olympiakos 1-0 in Piraeus.
Their Greek Cup performances are also strong, holding favored PAOK to a goalless draw, while beating Chrisopoulis 3-0 last week.
Hoffenheim Likely to Rotate Here
Hoffenheim earned a spot in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers by finishing in fifth place in the Bundesliga last season, while their results in the ongoing campaign are mixed.
After kicking things off with a commanding 4-0 win against Aue in the German Cup, they suffered back to back league defeats against Koln and Borussia Dortmund (3-2 on both occasions).
Hoffenheim returned to winning ways last weekend by taking down Stuttgart 2-1 at home, Adam Hlozek stealing the spotlight by scoring a brace.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
OFI Crete (3-4-2-1) Nikolaos Christogeorgos; Kresimir Krizmanic, Achilleas Poungouras, Konstantinos Kostoulas; Nikolaos Athanasiou, Andreas Bouchalakis, Zisis Karachalios, Thanasis Androutsos; Taxiarchis Fountas, Benedikt Dickmann; Eddie Salcedo
Nikolaos Marinakis, Chris Sielis, and Aaron Leya Iseka remaining sidelined through injury while Dimitrios Nikolaou is doubtful for the home side.
Nikolaos Marinakis, Chris Sielis, and Aaron Leya Iseka remaining sidelined through injury while Dimitrios Nikolaou is doubtful for the home side.
Hoffenheim (4-2-3-1) Oliver Baumann; Vladimir Coufal, Ozan Kabak, Robin Hranac, Mats Rots; Nathan de Cat, Wouter Burger; Patrick Wimmer, Andrej Kramaric, Bambase Conte; Adam Hlozek
Alexander Prass is ruled out while Fisnik Asllani faces a fitness check for the visitors.