Football Season Guide

Hoffenheim have been consistently inconsistent performers in the top flight since earning promotion a few years ago. In most of their campaigns they have produced some excellent performances but a combination of silly slips and shooting themselves in the foot has cost them dearly and Markus Babbel will now look to produce a whole season of playing to their best. Wiese replacing Starke in goals is not an upgrade but nor is it a step backwards and freeing Ibertsberger is not a loss given his recent injury history. Defensive additions Delpierre and Chris are interesting signings as both will do very well if able to play but there are big questions over their fitness. Malbasic, Usami and Joselu are all gambles further up the park but if one turns out to be a regular scorer alongside Babel and Schipplock it will be good business. Salihovic is the pick of the players who remain as he is an excellent midfielder while Weis, Rudy and Vukcevic are all very capable as well. The defence will be led by internationals Beck and Compper and Hoffenheim, if they can keep people fit and available, should certainly be looking to have a strong campaign this year.