Highlights
F. Willenborg
90'
+ 4
Full time: Hoffenheim 3-1 Hertha!
Hoffenheim end a run of 14 matches without a win. Better still, after five straight defeats, Matarazzo gets off the mark as the Sinsheim club climb off the bottom of the table!
Full-time
90'
+ 3
Consolation goal
Jovetic races into the box after Hoffenheim fail to clear their lines. It's a tidy finish, but surely too little, too late...
Goal probability 
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
90'
+ 1
Added time
Three minutes for Hertha to find three goals. Otherwise, they're dropping into the relegation play-off spot...
90'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
88'
Table talk
Hoffenheim are on course to climb from bottom to 15th place, where Hertha began the weekend.
84'
Fresh legs
A triple change by Matarazzo. This is all about getting the result over the line now...
84'
Substitution
83'
Substitution
83'
Substitution
81'
Mittelstädt!
The man advantage is beginning to tell as Hertha enjoy a prolonged spell of possession. Birthday boy Mittelstädt eventually gets off a shot that has Baumann at full stretch to punch clear. A goal now would really throw a cat among the pigeons...
78'
Still the favourites to win, despite being a man light
Still the favourites to win, despite being a man light
51'
97.8 %
Now
99 %
77'
Batten down the hatches!
Two-goal hero Kramaric is sacrificed, in favour of an extra man in midfield, 22-year-old Finn Becker.
76'
Substitution
73'
All-out attack
Kanga's on for Hertha, who now have four strikers on the pitch...
73'
Substitution
72'
Hoffenheim reduced to 10 men!
Well, well. Less than 120 seconds after replacing Baumgartner, Dabbur is sent off for a reckless sliding challenge on Lukebakio. He was trying to stop the counter, but was never catching the Belgian for pace. Straight into the back of the calf, and a straight red card.
69'
Substitution
66'
Double change
Boateng's on for Richter, who was on a booking. Kenny replaces Plattenhardt, which suggests Hertha are switching to a back four for the final stretch.
65'
Substitution
65'
Substitution
61'
Steel-like wrist
Christensen pulls off a fabulous save to beat away Stiller's venomous 18-yard volley. He does so well not just to keep it out, but to direct it away from the danger zone.
57'
Hoffenheim in the mood
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
3
2.68
0.31
3
Goals
57'
Goal attempts
6off target
6on target
3off target
2on target
51'
Daylight for Hoffenheim!
Hoffenheim extend their lead in this relegation six-pointer! Baumgartner wins a header midway through the Hertha half to release Bebou. He gets there ahead of the leaping Plattenhardt and holds off two challenges on his way into the box, before finishing under Christensen.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
49'
Denied!
Baumann gets down brilliantly to keep out Lukebakio's close-range downward header. There's a hint of handball as Skov helps it behind, but the referee is unmoved by the Hertha appeals.
48'
Half chance
Kaderabek, who's been a real hive of activity so far today, tears up the right and crosses towards the penalty spot. Baumgartner wins the header, but it's an awkward one and ultimately lacks the power to seriously trouble Christensen.
46'
Attacking change
Jovetic and 10-goal top scorer Lukebakio replace Cigerci and Niederlechner. That's two strikers for a midfielder and a forward - a bold, but necessary move.
Kick-off!
45'
+ 2
Substitution
45'
+ 2
Substitution
King Kramaric
© Imago
45'
+ 2
Half time: Hoffenheim 2-0 Hertha
Matarazzo's team end the half on a high, with Baumgartner heading off target following a sustained spell of pressure in and around the Hertha box. As things stand, Kramaric's penalty double has them off the foot of the table...
Half-time
41'
Living up to x(G)pectation
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
2
2.33
0.2
2
Goals
40'
Rescue job
Mittelstädt makes a timely intervention, just as Bebou was pulling his leg back to shoot inside the box. Berlin-born Brooks meets the ensuing corner, but doesn't trouble Christensen.
38'
Kramaric on the spot - again!
Hoffenheim win another penalty after Bebou has his heels clipped by Uremovic. Kramaric goes for another long, winding run-up from the spot, this time tucking the ball into the corner that Christensen incorrectly guessed the first time.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
36'
Strong save!
Baumann is called into action for the first time to push away Mittelstädt's low drive from just inside the area. It looked like there was a foul in the build-up, but the referee smartly played the advantage.
34'
Win probability
Win probability
0'
39.3 %
Now
68.5 %
33'
Close!
Hertha fail to deal with another Skov corner from the left. It's cleared only as far as Kaderabek, who whips a low effort narrowly past the far post from 18 yards.
Kram the man
© Getty Images
30'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
28'
Proceed with caution
Richter slides in late on Geiger, and can have no complaints with the referee's decision. That's his fifth yellow card of the season, so he'll be suspended for Hertha's trip to Freiburg after the March international break.
26'
Acrobatic effort!
Hertha go straight on the attack as a cross is sent over from the right. Serdar goes for the spectacular, tickling the side netting with an audacious scissor-kick. That would have been some way to equalise!
25'
Hoffenheim lead!
Relief in Sinsheim. Cigerci is penalised for handling Brooks' goal-bound header from a corner. Kramaric steps up to take the penalty, waits for Christensen to commit and slots the ball down the middle.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
20'
Kramaric!
Spoke too soon! Kramaric shows his class with a sensational piece of chest control to bring a long punt under his spell. He connects on the volley, forcing a smart save from Christensen at his near post.
19'
Still no clear-cut chances...
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
0.39
0.09
0
Goals
A keenly contested game so far
© Imago
12'
Half chance
Good work from Tousart on the right-hand side of the Hoffenheim area forces the game's first corner. Cigerci picks out Niederlechner, who's right under the cross and heads over.
7'
Offside!
Hoffenheim have started really brightly as Kaderabek clips a cross over the top of the defence and into the six-yard box. Kramaric connects on the volley, sending his effort into the side netting before a flag is raised for offside. Encouraging signs!
4'
Warning shot
Skov takes aim from 20 yards looking to end a goal drought dating back to Matchday 10, but his shot is straight at Christensen. He's making just his second start of the year following a calf problem, mind.
1'
Here we go!
A massive game in the context of the five-way relegation battle. Hold on tight, folks!
Kick-off!
Teams in the tunnel
You can sense the nerves as the players prepare to take to the field. Hoffenheim are in blue shirts and white socks. Hertha are in their change strip of all red.
What's at stake?
Hoffenheim will move off the bottom of the table with a win. Depending on results elsewhere, Hertha could slip to the foot of the table with defeat or put as many as four points between themselves and the drop zone with a win.
2:03
Watch: Hertha 1-1 Mainz
2:03
Watch: Freiburg 2-1 Hoffenheim
More on those teams
Matarazzo makes three changes to the team beaten by Freiburg last time out. Kevin Vogt returns in place of the suspended Ozan Kabak, while Christoph Baumgartner and Andrej Kramaric - with 10 goals between them this season - replace Finn Becker and Munnas Dabbur. As for Hertha, Sandro Schwarz is forced into two changes at the back. Marton Dardai and Marc Oliver Kempf are carrying knocks, so Agustin Rogel and Maximilian Mittelstädt come in.
Hoffenheim starting line-up
Baumann (c) - Akpoguma, Vogt, Brooks - Kaderabek, Geiger, Stiller, Skov – Baumgartner - Bebou, Kramaric
Hoffenheim subs
Philipp, Bicakcic, Dabbur, Angelino, Rudy, Delaney, Becker, Bischof, Tohumcu
Hertha starting line-up
Christensen - Rogel, Uremovic, Plattenhardt (c) - Richter, Tousart, Cigerci, Serdar, Mittelstädt - Ngankam, Niederlechner
Hertha subs
Ernst, Pekarik, Lukebakio, Kenny, Kanga, Jovetic, Boateng, Scherhant, Klemens
0:20
Hertha assistant relishes challenge
The Berlin side's head coach Sandro Schwarz missed pre-match media duties due to illness, so his assistant Volkan Bulut spoke about the big relegation battle. He said: "We’ve shown several times this season that we can deal with setbacks – and we get them every weekend. Every game is a hurdle that we have to clear in order to get points. Therefore we’ll do everything we can on Saturday to leave everything out on the pitch and deliver the best possible performance."
Hoffenheim boss ready for battle
Pellegrino Matarazzo says his team will show their desire to win today: "I have the feeling that the team is fired up. The boys want to achieve something. There's no fear, but there is a dissatisfaction. The players want to unleash energy in order to turn the situation around. We're all very focused. We want to leapfrog Berlin with a win and will embrace the challenge."
2:03
Watch: Previous meeting: Hertha 1-1 Hoffenheim
Goals expected
There has never been a 0-0 draw between these teams in their 25 Bundesliga meetings to date.
Positive omen
Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramaric has scored more goals against Hertha (10) than he has against any other team.
Unwanted record in sight
Hoffenheim have lost all seven of their matches in the second half of the season so far (from Matchday 18 onwards). No Bundesliga club has ever lost their first eight consecutive matches in the Rückrunde.
Welcome along!
Thanks for joining us for live build-up and coverage of Hoffenheim's Matchday 25 meeting with Hertha Berlin in what promises to be a gripping relegation six-pointer!