While Borussia Dortmund don’t have much to play for, they will surely want to bounce back against TSG Hoffenheim after suffering a defeat at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen last time out.
The home team are sixth on the table with 51 points in their 29 outings. Their pursuit of a Champions League spot has suffered a massive blow in recent weeks as they have failed to win any of their last four matches (2 defeats) and now find themselves five points behind RB Leipzig with as many games to go.
While a UCL spot might look beyond their reach, they can certainly push for a Europa League spot as they are just a point behind fifth-placed Leverkusen. However, they need to get back to winning ways for that to happen. Their last outing was a 2-2 draw against Augsburg, and they will certainly have to do better to win here.
Meanwhile, the away team are 2nd on the points table with 64 points in their 29 outings. They are 12 points behind leaders Bayern, who can wrap up the title this week. Dortmund are in a comfortable position with regard to a Champions League spot, as they have a 12-point lead over the team in fifth.
While the result here won’t have much impact on their season, Dortmund will be hoping to finish the season in fine fashion. Having lost to Leverkusen last time out, they will be hoping to get back to winning ways against Hoffenheim.
The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
The home team do not have any fresh injuries to deal with. Valentin Gendrey is a doubt because of an ankle issue, while Koki Machida remains on the sidelines with a ligament injury.
Hoffenheim will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Oliver Baumann will feature in goal. Vladimir Coufal and Bernardo will feature as the wing-backs, while Robin Hranac and Ozan Kabak will take charge in central defence.
The centre-backs will receive much-needed support from Leon Avdullahu, who will take up the holding midfield role. Meanwhile, Grischa Promel and Wouter Burger will be in his support. The trio will look to ensure Dortmund midfielders do not run the show.
Tim Lemperle and Bazoumana Toure will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Meanwhile, Fisnik Asllani will be leading the line for the home team.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Baumann; Coufal, Hranac, Kabak, Bernardo; Promel, Avdullahu, Burger; Lemperle, Asllani, Toure
The visitors could be without the services of Emre Can (knee), Yan Couto (muscle) and Serhou Guirassy (foot) because of injury. Apart from the three, Niko Kovac should have everyone else available for selection.
Dortmund will line up in a 3-4-3 formation, which will work more like a 3-4-2-1. Gregor Kobel will take charge in goal. The back three will be made up of Waldemar Anton, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Ramy Bensebaini.
Meanwhile, Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson will be the two wing-backs, providing support to the back three and width to their attacks.
Jobe Bellingham and Marcel Sabitzer will take charge as the two central midfielders. They will look to control the tempo of the game. Julian Brandt and Maximilian Beier are expected to be the attacking options alongside Fabio Silva, who will lead the line in Guirassy’s absence.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Kobel; Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Bellingham, Sabitzer, Svensson; Beier, Silva, Brandt
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Bellingham didn’t have the best of starts to life at Dortmund, and he often found himself on the bench. Even his father was involved in a rift with club chiefs. However, it seems the 20-year-old has worked his way into Niko Kovac’s plans.
While the majority of his appearances in the first half came off the bench, Bellingham has been a constant feature in their starting XI in the second half. He has been involved in 40 games this term and has four assists to his name, but the 20-year-old is still waiting for his first Dortmund goal, and he will be hoping he finally gets on the scoresheet against Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim might be struggling for form, but playing at home could give them the platform to put up a strong fight against Borussia Dortmund. With their European hopes still hanging in the balance, the hosts are expected to approach this game with urgency and intent, and they do have enough quality in attack to trouble the visitors.
Meanwhile, Dortmund will be eager to bounce back from their defeat to Bayer Leverkusen and should still carry a significant threat going forward. However, with little at stake compared to their opponents and given their recent struggles at the PreZero Arena, this fixture could turn into a closely contested affair. Both teams are likely to have their moments, and it could eventually end in a hard-fought draw. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 draw in this fixture.
