Bundesliga 2022-23: Hoffenheim vs Borussia Dortmund: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The Black and Yellow army travel to Sinsheim, at the 30,000-capacity Rhein-Nectar Arena, in Matchday 22 of the Bundesliga.

Borussia Dortmund have continued their ridiculously great form, brushing aside every opponent they face each week in the Bundesliga. Erin Terzic's men are the only side have won the last six fixtures in the Bundesliga, with atleast two goals scored in each gameweek, .i.e, 4-3 Augsburg, 1-2 Mainz, 0-2 Leverkusen, 5-1 Freiburg, 0-2 Bremen, & 4-1 against Hertha last week, all registered wins. The last such run came in their double-winning run in 2011/12 under Jurgen Klopp.

Hoffenheim are enduring a challenging Bundesliga season, languishing in 15th place, with 19 points and a spot above the relegation spot on goal difference. The Sinsheim-based side have recently appointed American Pellegrino Matarazzo, who's underseen a couple of defeats to Leverkusen and Augsburg in the last two gameweeks. The former Stuttgart manager will be hoping to finally turn around his team's terrible form, after his predecessor Andre Breteinreiter, was dismissed after a win-less run of 9 consecutive Bundesliga games. Hoffenheim are win-less in the last four fixtures and against the joint top side in the league presents such an opportunity to change this unsavoury fact.

Kick-off:

Saturday, 25-02-2023; 2:30 pm (GMT); 08:00 pm (IST)

Hoffenheim form (all competitions): D-L-L-L-L

Borussia Dortmund form (all competitions): W-W-W-W-W

Players to watch

Hoffenheim: Angelino

The former Manchester City full-back has been the best performer for a Hoffenheim side, and the main creative outlet for his side , with 6 assists in 20 matches. The Spaniard has a lot of experience playing under Pep's successful Manchester City team in 2017-18, particularly known for his attacking flair. His experience in Bundesliga is also been a mixed bag, as he's currently on loan from his parent club Leipzig and his performances will be closely monitored, towards his return next season.

Borussia Dortmund: Marco Reus

The captain and Dortmund legend was instrumental in breaking the deadlock against Hertha last week, and finished with a goal and assist. His man-of-the-match performance has also elevated Julian Brandt and now injured Karim Adeyemi's game, with creativity the least of Dortmund's concerns right now, especially being the second-top scorer in the league behind Bayern. He'll be the man to rely on again as Dortmund continue in this onslaught against Bayern's title hopes.

Match-facts

• Hoffenheim has scored 6 times in the last 5 fixtures.
• Hoffenheim's last 5 games have resulted in 1 draw and 4 defeats. The home side has also scored in the last 5 games in front of their own fans.
• Dortmund are unbeaten in three away games.
• Dortmund are also unbeaten in the last 5 games coming into this fixture against Hoffenheim. They have scored 15 goals in total and won all of the fixtures.

Team & Injury News

Hoffenheim's injury concerns include Bruun Larsen (groin), Prömel (ankle), and Skov (calf).

Dortmund have their own injury concerns with Adeyemi (thigh) who's out for three weeks after injuring himself last week against Hertha. Others who'll be out are Duranville (thigh), Kamara (knee), Morey (match fitness), Moukoko (ankle).

Head to Head

Matches: 30

Hoffenheim: 7

Borussia Dortmund: 13

Draws: 10

Predicted lineups

Hoffenheim predicted lineup (3-4-1-2):

Baumann (c); Kabak, Bicakcic, Brooks; Kaderabek; Geiger, Delaney, Angelino; Baumgartner; Bebou, Kramaric

Borussia Dortmund predicted lineup (4-1-4-1):

Kobel; Wolf, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Can; Brandt, Bellingham, Reus, Bynoe-Gittens; Haller

Match Prediction

Dortmund are the most in-form team in Europe currently, especially after winning their last five in the league as well as a home win against Chelsea last week in the Champions League, and thus they should be conformably winning this one against a lowly-placed Hoffenheim.

Prediction: Hoffenheim 0 - 2 Borussia Dortmund

Telecast

India: Ten Network and SonyLIV app

USA: ESPN+, FuboTV

UK: Sky Sports

Nigeria: Canal+ Sport