Erzgebirge Aue vs Hoffenheim – News and Probable Lineups

On Saturday, Hoffenheim will start their competitive season with a DFB-Pokal first-round clash against Erzgebirge Aue at Eins Erzgebirgsstadion.

The underdog Violets from the fourth tier will be looking to pull off an upset, yet Die Kraichgauer must approach this match with caution after failing to secure a victory in their last three pre-season friendlies.

Match overview

Aue, led by Khvicha Shubitidze, earned their spot in the DFB-Pokal’s first round by clinching the 2025-26 Saxony Cup, and they are eager to make a statement this weekend despite the challenging odds.

However, the Violets haven’t advanced past the opening round of this tournament since the 2019-20 season when they secured a 4-1 victory over Wacker Nordhausen.

Compounding the hosts’ struggles are the facts that they were relegated from the 3. Liga last season, finishing in 18th place and slipping down to the Regionalliga Nordost.

On a positive note for Shubitidze’s team, Aue has only suffered one defeat in their five competitive matches thus far this season, losing 3-1 to Chemnitzer on August 15, while achieving three wins and one draw.

Moreover, the Violets have found the net in each of their last 12 fixtures and are unbeaten in their last six competitive games at home, having recorded victories of 2-1 against Preussen Berlin and 3-2 over BFC Dynamo in their two most recent home matches.

On the other hand, Hoffenheim, under the guidance of Christian Ilzer, enjoyed a solid campaign in the 2025-26 Bundesliga, and they are eager to kick off the new season despite the disappointment of not qualifying for the Champions League.

Die Kraichgauer have set themselves up for the 2026-27 season with a packed schedule of eight friendly matches, which began with five straight victories, including an astonishing 21-0 rout of SV Massenbachhausen on July 22.

However, a reality check came on August 7 when they suffered a 4-1 defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach, a frustrating result as Bambase Conte had put them ahead in the first half.

Following this setback was a 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on August 15, followed by a 2-2 draw against the same opponents a day later, leaving Die Kraichgauer without a win in three matches heading into this weekend.

Despite their recent form, Hoffenheim will be deemed clear favorites to advance, yet supporters may be wary of a possible upset considering that Saturday’s visitors have managed just two wins, two draws, and three losses in their last seven competitive away fixtures.

Team News

Aue will miss versatile right-back Jonas Kehl on Saturday as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury, but Nils Lihsek is expected to fill in at right wing-back.

Meanwhile, left midfielder Chadi Ramadan is on the mend from a ligament injury, which means Tim Maciejewski is anticipated to operate on the left side of a trio alongside Simon Skarlatidis and Linus Queisser behind centre-forward Marcel Bar.

For Hoffenheim, they will be without key player Andrej Kramaric due to the groin injury he sustained during World Cup 2026, so Patrick Wimmer, Bambase Conte, and Adam Daghim are likely to support striker Adam Hlozek.

Defensively, Robin Hranac and Albian Hajdari are expected to anchor the backline for the visitors, supported by full-backs Vladimir Coufal and Mats Rots.

In midfield, Ilzer may choose a double pivot of Nathan De Cat and Leon Avdullahu to offer the team some solidity in the center of the pitch on Saturday.

Erzgebirge Aue probable starting XI:

Uhlig; Lihsek, Kokovas, Strietzel, Burghardt, Kapp; Angleberger; Maciejewski, Skarlatidis, Queisser; Bear

Hoffenheim probable starting XI:

Baumann; Coufal, Hranac, Hajdari, Rots; De Cat, Avdullahu; Wimmer, Conte, Daghim; Hlozek

Aue has begun their league season strongly, yet they remain underdogs due to their position in the fourth tier.

Anything less than a victory for Hoffenheim would be viewed as a setback, and they are anticipated to advance on Saturday, despite their recent series of unsatisfactory friendly performances.