Borussia Dortmund vs Hertha Berlin: Bundesliga: Match Preview & Prediction

Hertha Berlin has a tough task at hand as they travel to the Westfalenstadion to take on Borussia Dortmund in a crucial Bundesliga encounter.

A first league title since 2012 still remains a mathematical possibility for BVB but there is no further room to slip as they race Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga crown.

Lucien Favre’s men are at the second spot and are seven points behind the league leaders. They have also accumulated 18 wins.

Hertha is going through a mediocre season and their only realistic possibility is to qualify for one of the Champions League spots. For that to happen, they have to stitch together a string of positive results from hereon.

The Old Lady has been a revelation after the restart as they have picked up 10 points out of 12 under Bruno Labbadia and will not be easy pushovers for Dortmund.

Recent form

Dortmund: WWWLW

Hertha: DWWDW

Last time out

Jadon Sancho and Thorgan Hazard were on target for BVB in the first half as they ran away with a 1-2 win away from home despite being on the receiving end of Mats Hummels send off. Vladimir Darida scored the solitary goal for the Old Lady.

Team News

Wonderkid Erling Haaland remains a minor doubt but Mats Hummels is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season. Axel Witsel could slot into midfield, with Emre Can moving back into defence to cover Hummels.

For Bruno Labbadia’s team, in-form Matheus Cunha and Marvin Plattenhardt are both ruled out with concussion. Javairô Dilrosun may replace Cunha. Apart from this, they may stick to the same team, which is giving out great results.

Key Battles

Jadon Sancho vs Jordan Torunarigha

Sancho scored his first career hat-trick as Dortmund demolished Paderborn and he will be the biggest threat for Hertha to deal with. The English winger has been a revelation this season and with 17 goals and 16 assists, no player has had a hand in more goals than him this season.

Torunarigha will have the biggest test of his career as he faces-off against Sancho. If he comes out of it with flying careers, his path to the German national team will become easier. He has been impressive this season and is a wall at the back for Hertha.

Sancho is in the form of his life and Torunarigha has to play out of his skin to stop him. With the absence of Marco Reus and Erling Haaland, Sancho bears the bulk of Dortmund’s attacking prowess and if Torunarigha manages to handle him, Hertha may come up with a surprise.

Achraf Hakimi vs Dodi Lukébakio

Hakimi has been the most impressive Dortmund player along with Sancho. In a 3-5-2 system that Dortmund play with, his marauding runs become ever so important. 

The Real Madrid loanee has accumulated five goals and 10 assists, which are outstanding numbers for someone, who is primarily a defender.

Lukébakio is the highest goal scorer for Hertha and will be given the task to keep Hakimi in check. If he does not have a good game, Hakimi will wreak havoc for BVB running up and down the wings with no care in the world.

But, if the 22-year old Belgian forward lurks around the Dortmund’s defence enough, Hakimi would have to reign in his attacking instincts and this may neutralize a great weapon for the Black and Yellows.

Prediction

BVB have won seven out of their last eight Bundesliga games and are also undefeated in 11of their last 12 matches against the Old Lady.

Hertha, on the other hand, are undefeated in their last seven away games in the league and have also scored at least two goals in their last six Bundesliga matches.

Hertha will be full of confidence due to their recent impressive showings but beating this Dortmund side is too tough a task for them. We predict a hard fought victory for the Black and Yellows.

Score Prediction:- Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Hertha Berlin