TSG 1899 Hoffenheim host Beşiktaş on Thursday, 15 October, in their second UEFA Europa League League Stage match. The fixture at the Prezero Arena (kick-off 21:00 local time) comes after a disappointing 2-3 home defeat to Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga, a result that leaves Hoffenheim 17th in the table with just three points from five games. It was the team's third consecutive Bundesliga loss under head coach Christian Ilzer.

Head coach Christian Ilzer will be without several key players. Patrick Wimmer and Albian Hajdari are injured, while Luis Engelns is suspended. The predicted starting lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation features Oliver Baumann in goal, with Vladimir Coufal, Ozan Kabak, Koki Machida and Mats Rots in defence. Leon Avdullahu and Wouter Burger are set to anchor midfield, with Bambasé Conté, Nathan De Cat, Adam Hlozek and Tim Lemperle forming the attack. Conté scored in the 53rd minute of the 2-3 loss to HSV, a bright spot in the poor run.

Beşiktaş with their own absentees

The visitors from Istanbul also arrive with selection headaches. Manager Vincenzo Italiano cannot call upon Dušan Vlahović, Vaclav Cerny or Milot Rashica, the latter of whom is also suspended. Beşiktaş, however, are buoyed by a 2-1 win over Kocaelispor in the Süper Lig, with goals from Orkun Kökçü and Vlahović. They have scored 19 times in their last six matches but have also conceded in five of those games.

For Hoffenheim, this European outing is an opportunity to reverse their recent form. They have scored in five of their last six matches but have conceded in every single one during that stretch. The team's top scorer this season is Adam Daghim with two goals, though he was a substitute against HSV.

Preview author Andre Moura believes Hoffenheim hold the upper hand. "Our impression is that TSG 1899 Hoffenheim will most likely dominate the opponent extensively and get numerous opportunities to score goals," he said. Captain Oliver Baumann's side face the Turkish league's 18th-placed team on Thursday night in Sinsheim. Beşiktaş occupy that relegation spot with just one win and five points from six matches.

Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann reacted angrily to the 2-3 defeat against Beşiktaş. "We are making life difficult for ourselves," said the captain. Coach Christian Ilzer admitted the team is in danger of losing confidence. The goals were scored by Fisnik Asllani and Koki Machida. It was the fourth consecutive 2-3 loss for Hoffenheim, which is now pointless in the Europa League. The next match is on October 18th against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Michael Amir Murillo (60th) and Oh Hyeon-gyu (72nd, 79th) scored the goals for Beşiktaş in Hoffenheim's 2-3 defeat. The club confirmed this. Fisnik Asllani (68th) and Koki Machida (87th) scored for TSG. It was the fourth consecutive loss. The team has now scored 9 and conceded 13 goals this season. The next match is on October 18th in Mönchengladbach.