Hoffenheim vs. FC Bayern – collective over the individual

Jupp Heynckes' Bayern team are going through something of a mini-crisis. They lie seven points behind rivals Borussia Dortmund at the top of the league and find themselves in a struggle to reach the quarter finals of the Champions League, after losing their last 16 first leg against FC Basel. But Babbel sees their form as neither an advantage nor a disadvantage. “I've experienced a lot in my career as a manager. Bayern were very good not so long ago, and now they're on a bad run. We'll be in good spirits when we go to Munich, but it will take a great performance from us to get something from the game.” Despite their poor away record, Bayern are still formidable at home, having won their last five games in the Allianz Arena. Their two home defeats this campaign have been against the two Borussias (Dortmund and Mönchengladbach).

‘Making it tough to beat us'

Hoffenheim's recent record of never having beaten Bayern Munich attests to the difficulty of the task ahead of them. “It's always tough when you take on Bayern. When they came here, we played without fear and gave them a real game. That's what we have to do this weekend”, believes defender Marvin Compper. He played under opposing manager Heynckes at Mönchengladbach, but is hoping to throw a spanner in the works for his former mentor. “I learned a lot from him. But our goal is to climb the league and that means getting at least a point this weekend”, says the defender. For Babbel, his remit on matchday 25 is clear. “We have to stay compact at the back and be strong in the tackle. If we can do that, and get forward as well, we'll make it hard for them to beat us.”

Beck out, Williams in

In terms of personnel, Babbel must do without some key players for this game. Srdjan Lakic damaged ankle ligaments against 1. FC Köln, while Sven Schipplock suffered a knock to his knee in the same match. “I don't see that as a problem. We have Knowledge Musona and Peniel Mlapa, and they'll now have to show what they can do”, says Babbel confidently. Additionally, captain Andreas Beck is suspended, and long term absentees Andreas Ibertsberger and Matthias Jaissle are still a long way from a return. Daniel Williams comes back from a suspension, however, and will be in the matchday squad. Bayern are hoping that star midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will be passed fit. He has been sidelined with an ankle injury since early February, but returned to first team training this week.

Match Stats

TSG are still without a win against Bayern, drawing three and losing four since their promotion to the Bundesliga in 2008. They have also lost all three encounters in Munich. Bayern could win their 900th game in the Bundesliga this weekend. But Heynckes' team have won just once in their last four games, while Hoffenheim are unbeaten under new manager Babbel, with three draws and a win.

Match facts and statistics »