"We can write positive headlines" TSG aiming to buck the trend in Hannover

Markus Gisdol on…

…the opposition:

Hannover have their backs to the wall so we are expecting a lively game in front of a great crowd. As they changed their manager this week, we're not too sure how they are going to line up against us. We have no way of predicting what players or formation will be used. As a result, our full focus will be on ourselves, though it wouldn't hurt to have a plan B in order to react quickly when the game starts.

…personnel:

Andreas Beck and Kevin Volland are suspended – we need to replace them somehow. Beyond that, our squad has become slightly more depleted as the week has gone on. Anthony Modeste has had problems with his thigh, while Sebastian Rudy has had ankle problems and Sejad Salihovic trapped a nerve in his thigh. Pirmin Schwegler also continues to suffer from back problems. We will have to check on all four over the next few sessions. For now, there are three or four vacant positions in the starting XI.

...the sporting situation:

We're obviously not happy with recent results, but we have to get through this tough period. We won't point fingers, we will move forward objectively. Most importantly, we will remain level-headed and trust the players. That's the most important thing. We have good players and a great team. They are doing everything to get over the stumbling block that we have been falling over recently.

We take each Saturday as it comes and don't think beyond that. We are having a good season so far. We've been clear of the relegation battle since the beginning and have established ourselves in the top half of the table. Now we can work towards getting positive results and writing positive headlines.

The head-to-head record:

Hannover are one of TSG's favourite opponents, having won eight of the 13 Bundesliga matches between the two sides. Two games have ended in a draw, while Hannover have recorded just three wins. TSG have also won each of the last three encounters, with the most recent one ending in a 4-3 victory in the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena earlier in the season.

The opponents' form:

Manager Tayfun Korkut was sacked at the beginning of the week, with Michael Frontzeck coming in to try and steer 15th-placed Hannover clear of relegation. The last time 96 won was in 2014 – in mid-December against Augsburg. They have collected just five points since the start of the year and would be bottom of the table if the league had started in January.

Key battles:

It's difficult to say. Changing the manager can have immediate consequences on the pitch. How and with whom will 96 line up on Saturday? Only Michael Frontzeck knows. It's going to be very difficult for TSG to anticipate how their opponents will play. The focus, therefore, has to be 100 percent on their own performance. Hoffenheim need to call on their own strengths in order to win this match.

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