Big Game Focus: Hoffenheim v Borussia Dortmund

 

Dortmund are hoping to follow up the thrilling 3-3 stalemate against RB Leipzig on Tuesday with a win when they visit Hoffenheim on Friday night. This will be their last Bundesliga game this year as they will be going for the winter break. Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on the game here. 

Hoffenheim ended a four-game winless run by beating Union Berlin 2-0 away in midweek. They had taken just one point from four matches prior to that game. That winless run was preceded by a six-game winning run following an underwhelming start to the season. Good news is, they’ve already beaten Bayern Munich this season meaning Dortmund should be in for a tough game.

Dortmund extended their unbeaten run to six matches after the six-goal thriller with leaders RB Leipzig on Tuesday. They led 2-0 at half-time but ultimately had to settle for a draw following Timo Werner’s heroics. Can they end the decade with a win?

Betting preview

Dortmund have lost just one of their last 13 competitive matches against Hoffenheim. The hosts have won just one of their last five Bundesliga fixtures, losing three. Dortmund have won each of their last two Bundesliga away games. On top of that, Hoffenheim have lost six of their last ten home matches in the league. Therefore, you can back an Away Win at odds of 1.75. 

There have been Over 2.5 Goals scored in each of Dortmund’s last seven Bundesliga games. Six of the hosts’ last eight league games have seen three or more goals scored. You can back Over 2.5 Goals in this game at odds of 1.40. 

Both teams have scored in the last ten meetings between these two. Hoffenheim have conceded 27 goals in their 16 league games this term. The visitors have kept just two clean sheets away from home this season. You can back Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.45. 

Team news

For the hosts, Philipp Ochs and Steven Zuber are doubts, while Ishak Belfodil is expected to be out.

Axel Witsel, Marcel Schmelzer and Thomas Delaney are all out until at least next month with various injuries and will definitely not feature. Meanwhile, young star Jadon Sancho picked up an injury against Leipzig and is a doubt for this one.

Possible line-ups

Hoffenheim: Baumann, Kaderabek, Posch, Hübner, Skov, Grillitsch, Bebou, Rudy, Samassekou, Adamyan, Kramaric

Dortmund: Bürki, Akanji, Hummels, Zagadou, Hakimi, Weigl, Brandt, Schulz, Hazard, Reus, Sancho