Hoffenheim vs Borussia Dortmund preview, head-to-head and prediction

TSG Hoffenheim will play host to an unbeaten Borussia Dortmund team in the Bundesliga at PreZero Arena stadium, on Friday, 29th September.

Dortmund are heading to the game at the back of a tightly contested match against Wolfsburg. Marco Reus emerged as the hero by scoring the solitary goal for Dortmund, allowing them to maintain their unbeaten start to the Bundesliga season against a resolute Wolfsburg side.

Despite making six changes to the lineup following their 2-0 defeat to Paris St Germain in the Champions League opener last Tuesday, Dortmund’s coach, Edin Terzic struggled to instill a sense of urgency in his team, particularly during the first half.

However, Dortmund picked up the pace after the halftime break, and they came close to breaking the deadlock, with Julian Brandt threatening. It was ultimately Marco Reus who found the net in the 68th minute, capping off a move initiated by substitute Donyell Malen, securing the crucial victory.

Hoffenheim started their league campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Freiburg, but the Blues swiftly recovered from their opening-day loss in the Bundesliga, notching four consecutive wins on the trot.

From a 3-2 victory over newly promoted Heidenheim, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s men also claimed a 3-1 win against Wolfsburg before securing a 3-1 triumph over FC Koln, and a 2-0 victory away to Union Berlin with 20-year-old forward Maximilian Beier finding the back of the net in each of those victories.

A heroic goalkeeping performance by Hoffeinheim’s goalkeeper, Oliver Baumann and two goals in the first half by inform Max Beier and Andrej Kramaric inspired the visitors to victory against Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.

Hoffeinheim’s victory over Berlin was their fourth League victory which eventually earned Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team a place in the top five. Die Kraichgauer will be filled with confidence and ready to spring more surprises when they welcome Dortmund on Friday.

The 20-year-old Hoffenheim forward, Maximilian Beier has been in impeccable form this season, finding the back of the net in each of his last four Bundesliga matches. Hoffenheim’s frontline are gradually forming a formidable attacking duo in Beier and Andrej Kramaric.

As the odds point at Dortmund as the favorites, let’s have a look at Dortmund’s style of play and what to expect.

Borussia Dortmund’s tactical approach involves building their play from the back, typically adopting a 3+1 shape. They employ their ‘number 6’ to drop between or alongside the center-backs, acting as a pivot. This setup allows them to progress the ball by positioning other players between the lines or moving fluidly to create space, which they capitalize on through “up-back-and-through” movements.

As Dortmund advanced the ball closer to the opposition’s goal, their quick one-touch combinations became a focal point. This style of play has been a consistent feature of Dortmund’s approach over the years, regardless of the manager in charge. The effectiveness of players like Julian Brandt and Marco Reus under pressure plays a crucial role in this regard.

In tight spaces, Dortmund have a knack for drawing defenders towards the ball, creating openings for forward passes into the box. When no immediate opportunity arises, they can opt to play the ball out wide, initiating crosses or wide combinations between wingers and full-backs before delivering dangerous crosses.

Even on the counter-attack, Dortmund maintain a similar approach, utilizing the speed and strength of their players while prioritizing those quick, one-touch combinations, led by players like Reus and Brandt.

Despite occasional criticism for over-elaborating in the final third and taking too much time, Dortmund have proven to be highly effective at transitioning through different phases of play and capitalizing on crucial moments.

Team news:

Hoffenheim are grappling with several injury concerns leading up to the upcoming match. Marco John (ankle), Dennis Geiger (muscle), and Bambase Conte (fitness) are all currently unavailable.

Hoffenheim’s manager, Matarazzo, might be inclined to stick with the same starting XI that secured the club’s fourth consecutive victory last weekend. This lineup could see new signing Wout Weghorst partnering with in-form striker Maximilian Beier in the attack.

Defensively, former Liverpool defender Ozan Kabak is expected to feature alongside John Brooks and Kevin Vogt in a back-three setup. Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann is set to retain his position as the last line of defense.

On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund will be missing their influential midfielder Marcel Sabitzer due to an adductor injury he sustained against PSG. Additionally, Thomas Meunier (hamstring) and Mateu Morey (knee) continue to be sidelined with their respective injuries.

TSG HOFFENHEIM VS BORUSSIA DORTMUND HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

There have been a total of 31 meetings between the two sides. Out of these encounters, Hoffenheim have emerged victorious on 7 occasions, while Borussia Dortmund have claimed victory 14 times. Additionally, 10 of the fixtures between Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund have ended in draws.

This historical data highlights the competitive nature of their matchups, making the upcoming game even more intriguing. You can buy Hoffeneim vs Borussia Dortmund tickets at Seatsnet.com and it should be an excellent game at the PreZero Arena stadium on Friday night.

TSG HOFFENHEIM VS. BORUSSIA DORTMUND MATCH PREDICTION

Hoffenheim have displayed consistent attacking prowess this season, finding the back of the net in all of their matches. Their ability to maintain an offensive threat have been evident in the Bundesliga this season, scoring in every game so far including two goals against a defensively resilient Union Berlin side that challenged them in the second half. The partnership between the club’s top scorer Maximilian Beier and Andrej Kramaric have been pivotal in orchestrating these remarkable attacking displays.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund have had a mixed bag of results, with disappointing draws against VfL Bochum and newly-promoted Heidenheim sandwiched between victories over Koln and Freiburg. Their most recent Bundesliga outing resulted in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Wolfsburg.

Dortmund, although unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season, will be eager to improve upon their recent performances. They’ll see the match against Hoffenheim as an opportunity to fine-tune their tactics and secure a victory, ensuring their unbeaten run continues.

The upcoming match between Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund promises to be a highly contested fixture, driven by the remarkable balance of tactical and technical abilities on display from both teams. With Hoffenheim showcasing their attacking prowess led by the dynamic partnership of Maximilian Beier and Andrej Kramaric, there’s potential for a surprise victory.