TSG Hoffenheim vs Borussia Dortmund

One of the most exciting fixtures on this weekend’s Bundesliga schedule pits TSG Hoffenheim against Borussia Dortmund in a top-four six-pointer at the PreZero Arena.

Hoffenheim have experienced a topsy-turvy start to the new calendar year, following up a 3-1 home triumph over Augsburg with a 2-1 away loss to Union Berlin last time out. Sitting fourth in the Bundesliga table, ‘Die Kraichgauer’ are firmly in control of their Champions League qualification hopes. Though a dismal 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Freiburg in midweek DFB-Pokal action suggests a dip in form, the hosts will call upon their intimidating home record in the Bundesliga. Since falling to a 2-0 loss to Mainz in September, Sebastian Hoeneß’s men have gone unbeaten in their last seven home league matches on the trot (W6, D1), netting 2+ goals in each win in that sequence. What’s more, they have only lost one of their eight top-flight H2Hs on home turf since returning to the Bundesliga in 2012 (W2, D5, L1).

In the meantime, Borussia Dortmund will hope to bounce back from a shock 2-1 reverse to second-tier outfit St Pauli in midweek DFB-Pokal action and build on their two-game winning streak in the Bundesliga. A scintillating 5-1 romping of Freiburg last time out saw ‘Die Borussen’ stay within six-point distance of top-placed Bayern Munich, handing their faithful a glimmer of hope regarding the potential league title. But Dortmund will have to prove their title credentials against a Hoffenheim side they have only managed to shut out once in their 27 Bundesliga encounters. Adding to this sentiment, Marco Rose’s men have failed to keep a single clean sheet across their nine Bundesliga away games this season, fuelling the travelling support’s fears of a possible slip-up.