Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick has praised Wolfsburg for the way they have flown the flag for Germany in Europe this season.

A 3-0 win at Besiktas has taken Wolfsburg to the brink of qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League, whereas fellow Bundesliga outfits Bayern Munich and Stuttgart are close to elimination from the competition.

Ambitious Hoffenheim have their sights set on playing in Europe next season, and Rangnick has made clear his admiration for what the reigning champions have achieved.

"They are the defending German champions and they are the only German team with good chances of going further in the Champions League," said Rangnick.

"[Tomorrow's match] is a challenge that we are looking forward to. We will have to play our best game to get three points."

Wolves boss Armin Veh is wary of the threat Hoffenheim pose, and believes Rangnick's troops have already established themselves as one of the biggest clubs in the Bundesliga after their stunning start to life in the top flight last term.

"They have a lot of quality," said Veh. "The way they fell away last season was not normal.

"They are not like any normal newcomer to this division and even last year, they were not like a team who was just promoted."

Fifth-placed Hoffenheim hold a two-point advantage over the Wolves in the Bundesliga standings and a big win tomorrow could take them to the summit, where they last sat at the turn of the year before their challenge faltered in the second half of the season.

Rangnick is unlikely to make any changes to his side, while Veh welcomes Grafite back into his squad after the Brazilian returned from a week's leave in his homeland.