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Jun 27, 2020 at 2.30pm UK
DortmundBorussia Dortmund
0-4
HoffenheimHoffenheim

Balerdi (41')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Kramaric (8', 30', 48', 50' pen.)
/esi/1339/6_G_1_109469/index.html?art_id=403709&game_id=109469&sport_id=1&ESI

Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs. Hoffenheim - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs. Hoffenheim - prediction, team news, lineups: ID:403709: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Bundesliga game between Borussia Dortmund and Hoffenheim, including team news and predicted lineups.

Borussia Dortmund head into the final game of their Bundesliga campaign on Saturday afternoon having already secured the runners-up spot behind champions Bayern Munich.

However, Hoffenheim make the trip to the Westfalenstadion needing at least a point to have any chance of earning a place in next season's Europa League.


Match preview

Suffering a surprise defeat at home to Mainz 05 earlier this month put Dortmund at risk of ending an otherwise solid campaign on a low note, despite Champions League qualification having been effectively guaranteed.

However, with that setback being followed by an impressive showing and result at RB Leipzig last weekend, Lucien Favre and his players will be happy to head into their final fixture on the front foot.

Favre would have naturally liked to have been closer to champions Bayern Munich, but more positives than negatives can be taken from a disrupted season.

Had they defeated Bayern at the Westfalenstadion last month, the title race may have turned out differently, and it highlights how close BVB came to ending the long-term dominance of their rivals.

Nevertheless, with Erling Braut Haaland in attack for a full season and new arrivals expected later in the summer, Favre will feel that his squad can finally end their increasing wait for another top-flight crown over the next 12 months.

While Dortmund head into the concluding contest with nothing to play for, the same cannot be said of their opponents, who will be competing in their most important game of the campaign.

With Wolfsburg playing host to Bayern, Hoffenheim know that the door is open to snatch a place in the Europa League after spending recent weeks below the top six.

Since his appointment on an interim basis, Marcel Rapp has witnessed Hoffenheim register six points from three games, a run which featured convincing wins over Augsburg and Union Berlin.

Seven goals were scored during those two victories, three of which came from Moanes Dabour after a disappointing first year at the club.

With Andrej Kramaric also netting for the first time since injury, Rapp will feel that his team are in great shape heading into Saturday's pivotal clash.

Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga form: LWWWLW

Hoffenheim Bundesliga form: WWDLWW


Team News

Favre is unlikely to move away from the team which began last weekend's victory at RB Leipzig.

That would mean that Jadon Sancho, who could leave the club during the next transfer window, beginning the contest among the replacements.

While Marcel Schmelzer is a doubt, Thomas Delaney, Manuel Akanji, Mahmoud Dahoud and Marco Reus have all been ruled out through injury.

Barring any late fitness issues, Rapp is likely to stick with the team which began the demolition of Union Berlin.

That would mean a start for Kramaric in a more reserved role than normal, while Christoph Baumgartner would have to make do with a spot on the substitutes' bench.

Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Burki; Piszczek, Hummels, Can; Morey, Reyna, Witsel, Guerreiro; Brandt, Haaland, Hazard

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Bicakcic, Posch, Hubner; Kaderbaek, Geiger, Grillitsch, Kramaric, Skov; Dabbur, Bebou


We say: Borussia Dortmund 4-1 Hoffenheim

Although Hoffenheim desperately need a positive result, they may struggle to achieve it against a talented Dortmund team playing without any pressure. With that in mind, we feel that the home side will run out convincing winners.



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last updated article - 2020-06-25 18:06:56:
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