OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim: Lineups, Prediction, Betting Tips & Odds

OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim Match Summary

OFI Crete host TSG Hoffenheim at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion on the opening matchday of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase.

This is OFI Crete's return to the main stage of a major UEFA competition for the first time since 2000, earned by lifting the Greek Cup and seeing off CSKA Sofia 5-0 on aggregate in the play-offs.

Hoffenheim reach the league phase via direct qualification after finishing fifth in the 2025/26 Bundesliga. Christian Ilzer's side arrive as clear favourites and will fancy their chances in Crete.

This fixture pits a stubborn home side against a German outfit that carries the greater firepower, and our prediction leans firmly towards the visitors.

OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim Form

OFI Crete have made a tidy start at home, winning three of their first four in the Greek Super League. The pick was a 1-0 win away at Olympiacos last time out, ending their hosts' unbeaten start. Kostas Kodro and Taxiarchis Fountas carry the attacking threat, though this is a step up in class.

Hoffenheim opened the Bundesliga with back-to-back defeats against FC Köln and Borussia Dortmund before edging Stuttgart 2-1 in gameweek three. Ilzer's side found their feet in that win, and the return of Patrick Wimmer and Andrej Kramaric gives the visitors a sharper edge in the final third here.

OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

OFI Crete: Dimitrios Nikolaou (Injured/doubtful)

TSG Hoffenheim: Alexander Prass (Injured/doubtful)

OFI Crete

Dimitrios Nikolaou will be assessed after picking up an injury against Olympiacos last time out, and Kresimir Krizmanic is expected to step into the back three in his place. That is the only real question mark over the OFI Crete side.

TSG Hoffenheim

Alexander Prass is Hoffenheim's only injury concern after missing the Stuttgart clash. Otherwise Ilzer has a clean bill of health, and both Patrick Wimmer and Andrej Kramaric are in line to be recalled for this Europa League contest.

OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim Predicted Lineup

OFI Crete

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Predicted Starting Lineup: Christogeorgos; Krizmanic, Poungouras, Kostoulas; Athanasiou, Bouchalakis, Androutsos, Dickmann; Cantalapiedra, Fountas; Kodro

TSG Hoffenheim

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Starting Lineup: Baumann; Rots, Hajdari, Kabak, Coufal; Burger, Avdullahu; Daghim, Hlozek, Wimmer; Kramaric

Check out all the latest oddschecker Free Bets & Sign-Up Offers for OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim.

OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim Key Stats & Match Facts

• Hoffenheim are strong favourites at 1/3 with Coral, Ladbrokes and Betfred, with the draw out at 19/4 with QuinnBet.

• OFI Crete are rated rank outsiders for the win at 21/2 with 10Bet.

• The projected total points towards goals, with over 3.5 goals priced at 6/5 with Betfred.

• Both teams to score is on offer at 4/5 with QuinnBet, with the no priced at 11/10 with Skybet and Paddy Power.

• OFI Crete beat Olympiacos 1-0 away last time out, while Hoffenheim's most recent outing was a 2-1 win over Stuttgart.

OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim Prediction & Best Bets

Our prediction: The numbers make Hoffenheim the clear favourites here, and we agree. A projected 1-2 away win reads about right, with the visitors' extra quality in the final third telling against a spirited but overmatched OFI Crete. Both sides should find the net.

Best Bets

Fisnik Asllani to record over 1.5 shots on target for TSG Hoffenheim. The engine room rates Asllani at better than a 62% shout to land at least two shots on target against an OFI Crete defence projected to concede 2.42 goals, and that combination throws up real value.

Adam Daghim to register over 2.5 total shots for TSG Hoffenheim. Starting in the attacking trio for dominant favourites, Daghim carries a 64% projection to fire off three or more efforts, and he should get plenty of joy against a side stretched by chasing the game.

OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim Bet Builder

Our four-leg bet builder backs a Hoffenheim win, Andrej Kramaric to score anytime, both teams to score, and Albian Hajdari to be shown a card.

Hoffenheim are heavy favourites to establish control and take the win in Crete, with the numbers pointing firmly to an away success.

Kramaric spearheads the visitors' forward line as the focal point in attack, so the veteran to find the net anytime is a sensible leg.

Both teams to score fits the prediction nicely, with OFI Crete carrying enough at home to trouble a Hoffenheim side that has leaked goals early this term.

Hajdari operates in central defence, where interventions against a lively home attack carry genuine disciplinary risk, making the card a fair shout.

At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 19/1 and is as short as 9.76/1 elsewhere.

Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.

Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.

OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim Talking Points

This is the first time in Hoffenheim's history that the club has faced Greek opposition in European competition, and Wouter Burger set the tone by declaring the visitors are "really up for it". OFI Crete's only previous competitive meeting with German opposition came in the 1995/96 UEFA Intertoto Cup, a 1-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, so there is plenty riding on this occasion for the hosts. With Kramaric and Wimmer likely restored to the visiting XI, the away side's firepower should be the difference on Crete.

OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim Predictions FAQs

When is the OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim Europa League game?

The match takes place on Thursday 17 September 2026, kicking off at 17:45 UK time.

Where is OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim being played?

The match is being played at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion.

Where can I watch OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim?

The match is broadcast live on channels including TNT Sports 4, ESPN and Sky Sport Austria.

What competition is OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim in?

OFI Crete vs TSG Hoffenheim is part of the UEFA Europa League.

Disclaimer

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