Both teams enter this match with contrasting aspirations but share a common trend – high-scoring encounters driven by attacking flair and defensive frailties. This meeting has all the hallmarks of another thrilling spectacle.

Hoffenheim find themselves in a precarious position just above the relegation zone and desperately need a spark to reignite their season. While defensive frailties have plagued them, their attacking output has been consistent, especially at home. Matches at the Rhein-Neckar Arena have averaged an astonishing 4.4 goals per game, the joint-highest in the league.

In 14 home games across all competitions this season, Hoffenheim have failed to score only twice, underscoring their reliability in front of goal. However, their inability to keep teams out has been their Achilles heel, with just 2 clean sheets in the same period. This combination of attacking potency and defensive frailty has seen both teams find the net in 11 of those 14 matches, a trend that seems likely to persist against a similarly goal-happy Wolfsburg side.

Wolfsburg, meanwhile, find themselves in a unique position. Despite sitting 11th in the table, they are just 4 points away from the European qualification spots and remain motivated to push forward in both the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal. Scoring goals has not been an issue for this team, they have netted in 14 of their 15 league games this season, averaging an impressive 2.13 goals per game.

However, their defensive record leaves much to be desired, conceding at a rate of 1.87 goals per game. This imbalance has been a hallmark of their season, with both teams scoring in 80% of their Bundesliga matches.

The narrative of goals is further supported by the history between these two teams, 12 of their last 13 encounters have seen both sides find the back of the net. The only exception came in their most recent meeting in the DFB Pokal, a rare clean sheet for Wolfsburg that defied the pattern of their typically explosive clashes.

Norwich City boast the Championship’s joint second best attack, averaging 1.65 goals per game. This figure rises even further at Carrow Road where they average an impressive 2.38 goals-per-game, a testament to their high-octane style of play. Their attacking prowess is undeniable, having scored more goals at home than any other team in the Championship.

However, while scoring has not been an issue for the Canaries, their defensive vulnerabilities have been glaring, an area that Brighton will no doubt exploit. Norwich have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 8 home games, highlighting a porous backline. This defensive fragility has resulted in BTTS landing in all but 2 of their 14 home games across all competitions, setting the stage for another match with goals from both sides.

Brighton’s ability to make an impact on the scoreboard is unquestionable, as evidenced by their performances in the Premier League this season. Despite their mixed fortunes, highlighted by a modest +1 goal difference, their attacking flair often shines through, even as defensive lapses continue to undermine their efforts.

This delicate balance between potency and vulnerability has made Brighton a reliable fixture for both teams to score, a trend that has landed in an impressive 16 of their 20 league games. Their record in cup competitions further reinforces this pattern, with 2 of their 3 EFL Cup fixtures also featuring goals from both sides.

It is, however, on their travels that the likelihood of BTTS is cemented. Brighton’s last 6 away matches have all seen both teams find the net, extending this trend to 8 of their last 9 games on the road. Their open style of play, coupled with defensive inconsistency, ensures that goals are almost always part of the narrative, regardless of the venue.

In the context of the FA Cup, a competition notorious for its surprises and underdog triumphs, Norwich’s ability to challenge Brighton cannot be dismissed. While the Canaries’ chances of securing a result at Carrow Road remain uncertain, their ability to find the back of the net appears far more likely.