TSG 1899 Hoffenheim vs VfB Stuttgart

Two teams that finished among last season's European contenders reunite as the new Bundesliga campaign takes shape, with Hoffenheim hosting Stuttgart on matchday three. Hoffenheim finished fifth last term to book Europa League football, while Stuttgart reached the DFB Pokal final and pushed for the Champions League spots, so an early marker of intent matters to both. Form has been shaky. Hoffenheim lost their opener 3-2 at Köln despite goals from Anton Daghim and Ozan Kabak, while Stuttgart were thumped 5-1 by Bayern Munich before bouncing back with a 3-1 home win over Köln. Watch Andrej Kramarić leading Hoffenheim's attack, and Deniz Undav, who managed 25 goals last season, spearheading Stuttgart's line. The last three meetings between these sides have all finished level, most recently 2-2, and Hoffenheim haven't beaten Stuttgart since October 2023. Our prediction: 1-1