Prediction: Hoffenheim vs Borussia Dortmund

Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund will meet at PreZero Arena on Saturday afternoon, as both sides continue their Bundesliga campaign.

Hoffenheim started the league season with a 3-2 defeat to Koln, while Dortmund opened with a 2-0 win over Hamburger SV.

Verdict: Borussia Dortmund to win
Best odds: 33/25
Bookmaker: 1xBet

Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim had a frustrating start to the Bundesliga season. They scored twice away to Koln, but still lost 3-2 after conceding late.

That result tells the story quite clearly. Hoffenheim have attacking quality, but they were too easy to hurt when the match opened up. That is a problem before facing Dortmund.

The home side should still be dangerous. They finished fifth last season, they are playing at home, and they beat Dortmund 2-1 at this venue in April. They will not come into this match afraid.

The issue is defensive control. Hoffenheim led twice against Koln and still came away with nothing. If they give Dortmund the same spaces, Serhou Guirassy and the players around him should get chances.

Hoffenheim can make this close, especially if they score first. But if they chase the game or leave too much room behind midfield, Dortmund have enough quality to punish them.

Hoffenheim Team News

Christian Ilzer has a mostly fit squad, but Fisnik Asllani and Alexander Prass are doubts.

If Asllani is not ready, Tim Lemperle should lead the attack. Patrick Wimmer and Bambase Conte are expected to support him.

Ozan Kabak scored against Koln and should again be important at the back. Hoffenheim need him to defend well, not only attack set pieces.

Adam Daghim also scored in the opening match, so he should stay involved in the final third. Hoffenheim need direct runners because Dortmund’s back line is not at full strength.

Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund started the league season well. They beat Hamburg 2-0, then followed it with a 5-0 win over HEBC Hamburg in the DFB-Pokal.

That gives them two wins, seven goals scored and two clean sheets in their last two competitive matches. It is exactly the start Niko Kovac wanted after finishing second last season.

The away match is not simple. Hoffenheim are good enough to score, and Dortmund have injury problems in defense and midfield. This is not a match where BVB can expect full control from the first minute.

Still, Dortmund look more reliable right now. They have more attacking quality, they are already sharper in the final third, and Hoffenheim showed last week that they can lose control even when they are ahead.

Guirassy is the key player. If Dortmund can get him enough service, they should create chances. Hoffenheim will attack, and that should leave room for Dortmund to break forward.

Borussia Dortmund Team News

Dortmund are missing several players. Emre Can is still working back from a serious knee injury, while Nico Schlotterbeck is not ready to return yet.

Giannis Konstantelias is out after suffering a torn ACL against Hamburg. That is a real blow because he scored on his Bundesliga debut and was expected to add creativity behind the striker.

Justin Lerma is sidelined with a muscle injury, while Samuele Inacio is suspended after being sent off against Hamburg.

Ramy Bensebaini is a late fitness check after a rib problem. If he is not ready, Daniel Svensson, Waldemar Anton and Joane Gadou could form the defensive line.

Jobe Bellingham and Felix Nmecha should start in midfield, with Marcel Sabitzer and Konstantinos Karetsas supporting Guirassy.

Hoffenheim vs Borussia Dortmund key factors to consider

• Hoffenheim lost 3-2 to Koln in their Bundesliga opener.
• Hoffenheim led twice in that match but still lost.
• Dortmund beat Hamburger SV 2-0 in their first league match.
• Dortmund then beat HEBC Hamburg 5-0 in the DFB-Pokal.
• Dortmund have kept two straight clean sheets.
• Hoffenheim beat Dortmund 2-1 at this venue in April.
• Dortmund are missing several players, including Emre Can, Nico Schlotterbeck and Giannis Konstantelias.
• Fisnik Asllani and Alexander Prass are doubts for Hoffenheim.

Conclusion

Hoffenheim can score here. They have home advantage, they caused Dortmund problems last season, and they already showed attacking threat against Koln.

The problem is the other side of their game. Hoffenheim conceded three in the opener, and that is dangerous against a Dortmund side that has started with seven goals in two competitive matches.

Dortmund are not at full strength, so this may be closer than the odds suggest. Their injury list makes a clean away win less comfortable.

Still, BVB have the better form, more quality in attack and a stronger match profile. Hoffenheim should make it competitive, but Dortmund look better placed to take the points.

Verdict: Borussia Dortmund to win
Best odds: 33/25
Bookmaker: 1xBet

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