Borussia Dortmund vs Hertha BSC preview: Magath's troops looking to avoid playoff
Hertha BSC can make sure of their Bundesliga place with a draw or better when they face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund may be happy to see the end of the 2021-22 campaign, with a disappointing season set to draw to a close on Saturday.
Unfortunately for the hosts, there has been no silverware to celebrate this term, while they have failed to offer a considerable challenge to Bayern Munich's Bundesliga crown.
They enter the final matchday 10 points behind the champions, although Die Schwarzgelben can take encouragement from the fact that they have picked up two more points than they did last season.
Marco Rose will be hoping he can end his first season in charge of Dortmund with back-to-back victories after they beat Greuther Fürth 3-1 last weekend. Julian Brandt gave Dortmund a half time lead before Jessic Ngankam equalised in the 70th minute, but Brandt quickly grabbed his second of the game to restore Dortmund's advantage. Felix Passlack made sure of the three points, ensuring his Die Schwarzgelben returned to winning ways after losing consecutive league games.
A win on Saturday would ensure that Dortmund end the season with the second-best home record in the league.
Team News
Dortmund's injury list remains a lengthy one, with the likes of Gregor Kobel, Thorgan Hazard, Donyell Malen, Mahmoud Dahoud, Mats Hummels and Giovanni Reyna among those that will miss out for the hosts.
Erling Haaland will play his final game for Dortmund after his impending transfer to Manchester City was confirmed. Saturday's contest will also act as a farewell for Alex Witzel and Dan-Axel Zagadou, who will both leave at the end of the season.
Hertha BSC
Hertha have staved off automatic relegation fears in the last few weeks, but they are still at risk of finishing the campaign in the relegation playoff spot.
Stuttgart are three points adrift of Hertha, and if Felix Magath's side loses to Dortmund on Saturday and Stuttgart beat FC Köln then they will finish in the playoff place on goal difference.
Die Alte Dame enter the final matchday off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Mainz, which ended Hertha's three-game unbeaten run.
Although only a point is needed on Saturday, Hertha will be concerned by the fact that they have lost 10 of their 16 away league matches this season.
They can, however, draw confidence from the reverse fixture after Die Alte Dame claimed a 3-2 victory over Dortmund in December. Although, recent away trips to Signal Iduna Park have not been as fruitful, with three of their last four away games against Die Schwarzgelben ending in defeat.
Team News
Like their hosts, Hertha also have a number of absentees to contend with. Marvin Plattenhardt, Lukas Klunter, Dong-jun Lee and Alexander Schwolow will all miss out for the hosts.