Borussia Dortmund will take on Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday, 15 December in a match that will have implications at both ends of the league table.
The hosts come into the match in sixth position but after two back-to-back draws, they are at risk of being cut adrift from the top four if they don't start picking up wins on a regular basis.
Hoffenheim, meanwhile, are just two places and three points above the relegation zone so positive results are now a necessity.
How the bookies view it: The hosts go in as favourites
Borussia Dortmund have been priced as the odds-on favourites by the bookies for this one which shouldn't come as a shock to anyone given Hoffenheim's position in the league table. BoyleSports have priced a Borussia Dortmund win at 2/5 while a victory for Hoffenheim has been priced 9/2. The draw, which would be welcomed by the visitors, has been priced at 15.4.
Recent head-to-head: Encouragement for both teams
Borussia Dortmund have won six of their last seven matches against Hoffenheim but it isn't all doom and gloom for the visitors. In last season's corresponding fixture at Signal Iduna Park, Hoffenheim pulled off a stunning 3-2 victory thanks in large to a second half brace from Maximilian Beier, who has since joined Dortmund.
Players to watch: Can Guirassy bring his European form to the Bundesliga?
A few week ago, Nuri Sahin said that he wouldn't swap Serhou Guirassy for any player in world football but the Dortmund boss would perhaps like a little more from his start striker domestically.
Guirassy has been in red-hot form in the Champions League and scored twice in the week in the club's 3-2 defeat to Barcelona. However, he has failed to score in each of the club's last two Bundesliga fixtures and his lack of productivity in recent league games has been a big reason for their slump in form.
One man in the Dortmund attack who can't be accused of only turning up on European nights is exciting English younger, Jamie Gittens. The 20-year-old is following in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham and should be on the cusp of a call-up to the national team. Gittens has scored four goals in his last five appearances.
Predicted line-ups
Both teams are ravaged with injuries coming into this one which should make the team selections interesting. Maximilian Beier is one of six absentees for the hosts meaning the forward won't get the chance to face his former club. Hoffenheim are missing even more first team players with eight players currently in the treatment room.
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel – Ryerson, Can, Bensebani, Couto – Gross, Nmecha – Gittens, Sabitzer, Malen – Guirassy
Hoffenheim: Baumann – Stach, Chaves, Nsoki – Gendrey, Bischof, Geiger, Prass – Kramaric, Hlozek, Larsen
Anything else catch the eye?
Hoffenheim have been finding goals hard to come by in recent weeks with four of their last six matches finishing without them getting on the scoresheet. While Dortmund aren't known as a team for keeping clean sheets, they are at home on Sunday which could be the key. Borussia Dortmund to keep a clean sheet has been priced at 17/10 by BoyleSports.
This German Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Hoffenheim will be played on Dec 15, 2024 and kick off at 16:30. Check below for our tipsters best Borussia Dortmund vs Hoffenheim prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
