Stani: “The boys are raring to go”

Hoffenheim's record against Hannover makes for good reading. The team from Lower Saxony are yet to win in Hoffenheim, since the latter were promoted to the Bundesliga in 2008. And TSG's head coach Holger Stanislawski wants to achieve the best second half to a season in Hoffenheim's history, starting with a win on Saturday. “The mid-season break was intensive, but we're all happy to get started again. The boys are very focused and just want to cross that white line”, said Stani at today's press conference.

Vorsah and Compper missing

Stanislawski will have to employ an improvised backline for tomorrow's game. Regular centre-back Isaac Vorsah is away at the African Cup of Nations with the Ghana squad, while his partner Marvin Compper has not yet recovered from the knee injury he sustained at Nürnberg last month.

Daniel Williams, a midfielder by trade, was utilised in defence during the winter break friendlies, and may be used in defence tomorrow. Jannik Vestergaard has also featured a number of times in the Bundesliga this season; he is hotly tipped to start the game. Elsewhere, the manager has other injuries to contend with. Boris Vukcevic, Matthias Jaissle, Andreas Ibertsberger, Sven Schipplock and new signing Stefan Thesker are all rated as doubtful.

Starke fit to start

Regarding goalkeeper and club no. 1, there was better news. Tom Starke suffered a thigh injury in the recent friendly game with St Pauli, and had to be substituted in the 23rd minute of the game. It was feared he would miss the first game back after the winter break, but the 30-year-old declared himself fit for the game. “Playing him doesn't run any risks. He will be fit to feature”, said the manager today.

Ibisevic one away

Hoffenheim's Bosnian striker Vedad Ibisevic has five goals to his name this season. One more this weekend would take his record tally in the Bundesliga to 50 – more than enough incentive then. Roberto Firmino also has five goals, while Sejad Salihovic and Ryan Babel both have four each. Stanislawski will be hoping his team can find the net with more regularity in this half of the season, as only Nürnberg, Kaiserslautern and Augsburg have scored fewer goals than 1899 in the Bundesliga so far.

Match Stats

Against no other team in the Bundesliga have Hoffenheim celebrated as many victories as against Hannover, their most recent win coming in a 4-0 success in October 2010. In the last seven games before Christmas, 1899 won only once, an away game against 1. FC Nürnberg, losing three and drawing three. Hannover 96 are winless in seven games (five draws, two defeats), a record only equalled by Kaiserslautern. The Lower Saxon teams have never gone eight matches without winning under current manager Mirko Slomka

Match facts and statistics »