Hoeness: "We're playing the role of hunter"

Sebastian Hoeness on…

…the personnel situation: "We still have our long-term injury absentees. Things are looking better for Håvard Nordtveit but he – just like Mijat Gaćinović and Kevin Akpoguma – will not be in contention for Sunday. There are question marks surrounding Stefan Posch and Kevin Vogt. In their case, we'll need to see how they cope in training."

…the opposition: "Stuttgart are doing well in the Bundesliga. VfB have good and exciting players in various positions. The team's been relatively stable throughout the season so far. Stuttgart are very strong on the counter. It'll be a nice challenge for us. We'll need to perform, but we'll be heading to Stuttgart with a healthy level of self-belief."

…the match being a special occasion: "We want to be the number one in Baden-Württemberg. We want to have overtaken Freiburg and VfB Stuttgart in the table by the end of the season. The match is obviously a special occasion for our fans too."

…the objectives for this season: "We want to achieve the maximum from our role as hunter. It's not in our own hands, but we want to do our homework. There are still 30 points up for grabs this season. We're on the good path. The lads can sense that as well. We want to keep working hard and pick up points to keep us in touch. As for anything else, we'll have to see."

The opposition's form:

VfB are on a four-match unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga. The promoted outfit's recent successes have carried them into the top half of the table and they now occupy ninth place with 33 points.

Head-to-head record:

TSG Hoffenheim have won six of the 22 previous meetings between the teams. VfB Stuttgart have emerged as winners nine times, while there have been seven draws. TSG are unbeaten in three matches against Stuttgart, however (one win and two draws).

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