Dortmund host on-from Hertha Berlin

Borussia Dortmund look to keep their increasingly faint title hopes alive as they host an in form Hertha Berlin side that is unbeaten since the restart.

A 6-1 victory last weekend against Paderborn saw Dortmund bounce back from their defeat against Bayern, which looks to have effectively sealed the title for the reigning champions. Dortmund will need a perfect record and an unlikely Bayern collapse to maintain their chances of winning the Bundesliga.

Hertha’s form has been patchy in 2020, but since the resumption of the league they’ve been in fine form. Three victories, eight goals scored and none conceded – including a 4-0 win against city rivals Union Berlin – have only been punctuated by a 2-2 draw with high-flying RB Leipzig. Most recently last weekend, they claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over Ausburg.

Their recent run of good form means that Hertha have played themselves into contention for a Europa League place, just four points of Wolfsburg in sixth. Dortmund, meanwhile, may now be looking over their shoulder with just a four point cushion in the top four and Bayern seemingly out of sight.

Team news

Dortmund will be without experienced centre back Mats Hummels after he picked up a fifth yellow card of the season against Paderborn. With Dan-Axel Zagadou still out with a long term injury, it’s possible that Emre Can could start in defence with Lucien Favre favouring his distribution skills.

In midfield, Mahmoud Dahoud remains out with a knee injury while Marco Reus is still set to be absent. Erling Haaland is doubtful after missing the Paderborn game having come off in the second half against Bayern with a knee injury.

Hertha are likely to be without attacker Matheus Cunha as the Brazilian still attempts to shake off a concussion sustained against his former club RB Leipzig. Since joining Hertha at the end of January, Cunha has four goals in seven games for Hertha.

Another forward missing is Marius Wolf and while Krzysztof Piatek has come off the bench to score in Hertha’s last two matches, it is likely that club captain Vedad Ibisevic will retain his place up front having also scored twice since the restart.

Dortmund boss Lucien Favre tight lipped on line-up:

“In Erling’s case, we need to see how it goes. He’s started to train with the team,” said Favre.

On the Hummels situation, with Can in contention to play in defence, he said: “He [Can] can play in midfield and in defence.

“It’s a shame he [Hummels] misses out. We’ll see how we play.”

Hertha manager Bruno Labbadia has backed his side against quality opposition:

“We know that we are up against a top-quality team, one with exceptional talent.

“But, of course we want to continue our run of good form in Dortmund as well.

“I hope that the team continues to play the way they have been – with the same shape and desire we’ve shown, and with passion and heart.”

Head-to-head

Out of the last five matches between the sides, there have been two draws and three wins for Dortmund. Hertha are without a win against Dortmund since March 2017, but are unbeaten since the Bundesliga restarted.