After helping Croatia to a runners-up finish at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Andrej Kramaric is in line for his first start of the season when Hoffenheim host Freiburg on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30PM CEST/ 1.30PM GMT/ 9.30AM ET).
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Kramaric missed the Matchday 1 defeat at Bayern Munich with a knee complaint but returned to full training this week, so should provide head coach Julian Nagelsmann with another option up front. Captain Kevin Vogt limped out of the 3-1 defeat with thigh trouble, but after closer examination revealed nothing more than heavy bruising, he is expected to start at centre-back once more. Should he not make it, Havard Nordtveit is ready to deputise once again. Switzerland international Steven Zuber will be pushing for a place in the first XI after impressing off the bench against Bayern, with Vincenzo Grifo the candidate most likely to make way.
The biggest personnel news in Freiburg does not concern the health of any of the players but rather that of head coach Christian Streich, who was absent from the touchline last week due to a slipped disc in his back that could force him to miss this trip to Hoffenheim. His assistant Lars Voßler continues in temporary charge in the meantime and should largely stick to the same side that played well in the 2-0 defeat at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 1. Striker Tim Kleindienst misses out with a back injury, so last season's top scorer Nils Petersen and Florian Niederlechner should lead the line once more.
Watch: All you need to know about Hoffenheim
Probable line-ups
Hoffenheim: Baumann – Bicakcic, Vogt (c), Adams – Kaderabek, Grillitsch, Zuber – Bittencourt, Grifo – Kramaric, SzalaiAbsentees: Amiri (foot), Bicakcic (Achilles), Demirbay (ankle), Hübner (concussion), Geiger (thigh), Otto, Rupp (both knee)Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Freiburg: Schwolow - Stenzel, Guide, Heintz, Günter - Höfler - Waldschmidt, Gondorf, Frantz (c) - Petersen, NiederlechnerAbsentees: Borello, Haberer, Stanko (all knee), Kleindienst (back), Abrashi (fitness)Coach: Christian Streich