Borussia Dortmund vs Hoffenheim preview: BVB look to get back to winning ways at home

Borussia Dortmund

The hosts may feel they missed an opportunity to claim all three points against Borussia Mönchengladbach, having generated over 1.5 xG from open play while limiting Die Fohlen to just 0.34 xG in open play.

Nuri Sahin's side suffered a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday, a result that left them ninth in the league phase table with 12 points. The performance raised concerns about Dortmund’s defensive frailty, particularly their counter-attack susceptibility.

BVB are currently in a challenging spell and has been winless in their last three matches. However, two of those games were against top-tier opponents in Barcelona and Bayern München. In the Bundesliga, their recent form is mixed, with two wins, two draws, and two losses in their last six matches.

At home, Dortmund have faltered recently, going winless in their last two fixtures at Signal Iduna Park. However, they had won their previous eight home games, and the loss to Barcelona remains their only defeat at the stadium this season.

Team News

In encouraging news for Dortmund, forward Karim Adeyemi is expected to return after being sidelined since October. While his fitness may restrict him to a substitute role, he could feature in place of one of Donyell Malen, Marcel Sabitzer, or Jamie Gittens. However, Dortmund remain without attackers Julian Brandt and Maximilian Beier, who are sidelined with hamstring and knee injuries, respectively.

Defensive options are also limited, with Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, and Waldemar Anton all unavailable. This shortage may force Nuri Sahin to deploy midfielder Emre Can as a central defender alongside Ramy Bensebaini in a makeshift back four.

Hoffenheim

As for the visitors, Hoffenheim, while only three points clear of 16th-placed Heidenheim, who currently sit in the relegation playoff spot, they will likely take some encouragement from their recent draw with Freiburg. The result marked a positive step after enduring three consecutive defeats in their prior outings.

Hoffenheim, led by boss Christian Ilzer, came into the game following a 0-0 draw against FCSB in the Europa League on Thursday. The match saw both sides create three big chances, but neither could capitalise.

In the Bundesliga, Hoffenheim have scored 18 goals and conceded 25, placing them 12th in offensive rankings and tying for the fourth-worst defensive record in the league.

Their away form, however, has been a major concern, with the team failing to secure a win in their last ten road games, losing six and drawing four during this stretch.

Team News

For Hoffenheim, injuries have also similarly disrupted their squad. With Ozan Kabak, Florian Grillitsch, and Christopher Lenz all ruled out, Arthur Chaves and Stanley N’Soki are expected to start in central defence ahead of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.

In attack, Adam Hložek is likely to lead the line, supported by Andrej Kramarić, Tom Bischof, and Jacob Bruun Larsen, given the absences of Marius Bülter and Ihlas Bebou. Meanwhile, the midfield could feature a partnership of Anton Stach and Diadié Samassékou due to the unavailability of Grischa Prömel, Umut Tohumcu, and Finn Becker.