1899 Hoffenheim heads to championship

A sold-out Rhein-Neckar-Arena will greet 1899 Hoffenheim as they head forward in the second half of the season with hopes of winning the championship. The season restarts against Energie Cottbus, who sits in the the drop zone.

Ralf Rangnick will hand the goalkeeping responsibilities to Timo Hildebrand, who has shown he is healthy and ready to lead. With only two practices with the club Boubacar Sanogo may be held back but the manager has reserved that decision for later.

Beyond Vedad Ibišević who is out for the year, Chinedu Obasi will miss to injury und Carlos Eduardo is suspended.

Energy Cottbus, who lost to Leverkusen on Wednesday in the Pokal, are likely without Dimitar Rangelov who was injured late in the match. He will undergo a late match fitness test to decide if he can play but they are also without Polish international Mariusz Kukiełka.