Borussia Dortmund and TSG Hoffenheim will both look to keep their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga intact when they square up against each other on Sunday.

While Borussia Dortmund did win their last league outing, they are heading into this fixture against TSG Hoffenheim on the back of a defeat in the cup, and they will be eager to bounce back.

The home team are third in the Bundesliga with 25 points in their 12 outings, with seven wins, four draws, and a defeat. Dortmund are already nine points behind league leaders Bayern Munich, who have a near-perfect record. The team in black and yellow will have to keep winning and hope Vincent Kompany’s men slip up to even have the slightest chance to push for the title.

While Niko Kovac’s charges have been unbeaten in their last five league outings, their overall form hasn’t been that pleasing. Dortmund secured a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in their last league outing, but they ended up losing 1-0 to them in DFB-Pokal a few days back. They will have to be more clinical in the final third to stand a chance.

The visitors are fifth on the table with 23 points in their 12 outings, with seven wins, two draws, and three defeats. While Hoffenheim were not off to the best of starts, they have been on a roll of late. They have been unbeaten in their last six league outings, winning five of those.

The visitors are heading into this fixture on the back of a 3-0 win over Augsburg. It was a dominant display, and Hoffenheim will be hoping for something similar against Borussia Dortmund. However, going up against the Black and Yellows won’t be that straightforward. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.

Team News & Tactics

Borussia Dortmund

The home team will be without the services of Niklas Sule because of a toe injury. Apart from him, everyone else should be available for selection.

Borussia Dortmund will line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, where Gregor Kobel will continue in goal. In the heart of the defence, Aaron Anselmino will start alongside Waldemar Anton and Nico Schlotterbeck.

The back three will receive significant support from Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson, who will feature as the wing-backs. As for the midfield unit, Felix Nmecha will pair up with Marcel Sabitzer in the centre of the park. The duo will look to control the tempo and ensure Dortmund dominate the proceedings.

Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Meanwhile, Serhou Guirassy will continue to lead the line for Borussia Dortmund against TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Anselmino, Anton, Schlotterbeck; Ryerson, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson; Brandt, Adeyemi; Guirassy

TSG Hoffenheim

TSG Hoffenheim remain without the services of Koki Machida because of an ACL injury, while Adam Hlozek is also a major doubt for this outing against Borussia Dortmund this weekend.

Hoffenheim will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, where Oliver Baumann will feature in goal. Vladimir Coufal and Bernardo Junior are expected to be the full-backs, while Albian Hajdari will partner with Robin Hranac in the heart of the defence.

Leon Avdullahu will be the defensive midfielder, who will shield the backline. Wouter Burger and Grischa Promel will take up the role of two central midfielders in front of him, while Fisnik Asllani will feature in the number ten role. Finally, Bazoumana Toure will partner with Tim Lemperle in the strike pairing.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Baumann; Coufal, Hranac, Hajdari, Bernardo; Avdullahu; Promel, Burger; Asllani; Toure, Lemperle

Key Stats

• Christian Ilzer is yet to record a win over Niko Kovac (D1 L2).
• Hoffenheim have bagged a goal in each of their last eight away games.
• Borussia Dortmund have been unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga outings.
• TSG Hoffenheim are unbeaten in their last six league outings, winning five of those games.
• In the last 37 meetings between the two teams, Borussia Dortmund have won 18 games, while Hoffenheim have come out on top on eight occasions.

Player to Watch

Serhou Guirassy

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Guirassy made an impressive start to life at Borussia Dortmund as he bagged 38 goals and nine assists in his debut campaign. The 29-year-old has carried that form into the new season, and he already has nine goals and four assists in his 19 outings.

While the Guinean striker was off to a flying start in the league, things have not been that great for him of late, as he has only one goal in his last eight league outings. He will be eager to get back on track and help his team secure another three points.

Prediction

Borussia Dortmund 2-2 TSG Hoffenheim

Borussia Dortmund return to league action looking to build on their recent unbeaten run, but their inconsistency in the final third remains a concern ahead of the game against TSG Hoffenheim. While they managed a narrow win over Bayer Leverkusen last weekend, their DFB-Pokal defeat exposed familiar issues with efficiency and control.

Hoffenheim, meanwhile, arrive in excellent form after going six league matches without defeat, including a dominant 3-0 win over Augsburg. Christian Ilzer’s men have found rhythm and resilience, and their balanced attacking approach should cause problems for Dortmund’s back three.

With both teams carrying momentum and confidence in front of goal, this has the makings of an exciting, evenly contested clash. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-2 draw in this fixture.