TSG Hoffenheim – Borussia Dortmund
This week was very relaxed for most teams in the top flight, as only Bayern and Leipzig had to play in the DFB Cup. This weekend, however, it’s back to business as the 6th matchday in the Bundesliga is on the agenda. The start of the new round takes us to Kraichgau. Two rivals in the standings will meet there on Friday. But which team will start the weekend with a win, you can find out in our Hoffenheim – Dortmund tip.
The hosts from Kraichgau want to continue their strong series. TSG have won their last four Bundesliga games and also won 2-0 at the Alte Försterei last Saturday. The visitors from Dortmund, however, also achieved a liberation in the previous week. The Borussians won 1-0 at home against Wolfsburg and delivered a thoroughly convincing performance in that match.
Hoffenheim’s coach, however, would like to prevent BVB’s next three points on Friday and preferably repeat the performance from his first encounter as coach against the Black and Yellows. In December 2020, the American, then still in the service of VfB Stuttgart, shot Dortmund out of their own stadium with 5:1. His opposite number Edin Terzic, however, is still unbeaten in three games against TSG.
Hoffenheim – Dortmund info:
- Date & Time: 29.09.2023, 20:30 hrs.
- Game venue: PreZero Arena, Sinsheim
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 6
- TV coverage: DAZN
Hoffenheim Form & Balance Check
The last season of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim started promisingly under coach André Breitenreiter, but quickly continued with a sharp fall. At the beginning of February, Pellegrino Matarazzo took over the helm and, after initial difficulties, led a turnaround in the Kraichgau. In the end, Hoffenheim finished twelfth.
In the new season, however, Hoffenheim have managed to bring points to the Kraichgau very regularly so far. After the defeat at the start of the season against SC Freiburg, TSG went on a winning streak and has not left it since. Hoffenheim are currently four games without losing a point and also won at Union Berlin in the previous week.
Beier flourishes
Andrej Kramaric has once again been the heart of the Kraichgauer’s attack this season. The Croatian may no longer be at home in the forward line, but he is still regularly involved in TSG’s goals. In the first five league games, the 32-year-old has already scored three goals and provided one assist.
However, Kramaric is not the top scorer for the Kraichgau club. Instead, Maximilian Beier is running hot in the forward line. The 20-year-old returned red hot from his two-year loan spell with Hannover in the 2nd Bundesliga, where he played a total of 63 games and scored ten goals. The youngster has now scored four times in his first five Bundesliga games this season.
Hoffenheim facts & analysis
- Won 2:0 against Union in the previous week
- In 5th place in the Bundesliga
- Last four wins in a row
Dortmund form & balance check
On paper, BVB have had a good start to the season and are still without defeat in the Bundesliga so far. Borussia is thus following up on the strong second half of the pre-season, in which Dortmund only narrowly missed out on the championship. But despite the solid points haul, BVB’s performances so far have not been championship-like at all.
Especially the two draws against Bochum and Heidenheim caused a lot of resentment among the fans. And the very defensive performance in the 0:2 loss in Paris at the start of the Champions League also displeased most of the Borussia supporters. The previous week, however, Dortmund won 1-0 in the league against VfL Wolfsburg and even put in a solid performance.
Bynoe-Gittens attacks
In the first games of the season, BVB’s attacking department looked quite static and exuded little scoring threat. Karim Adeyemi and Sébastien Haller in particular have not yet arrived at all in the new season. Against the Wolves, coach Edin Terzic therefore changed Borussia’s attack somewhat.
And one man in particular impressed in the duel with Wolfsburg the previous week. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who had to deal with two serious shoulder injuries in the past season, shone with his speed and dribbling ability, causing the VfL backline to falter on a few occasions. The 19-year-old will now be looking to build on that performance against TSG.
Dortmund facts & analysis
- Dortmund still without defeat in this Bundesliga season
- In 6th place in the Bundesliga
- Won 1-0 against Wolfsburg the previous week
Predicted line-up – last update on 28 September 2023
There is a well-rehearsed playing system at Hoffenheim in this one. And on Friday, TSG will again operate in a three-man backline. After the 2-0 win in Köpenick, we don’t expect any changes in TSG’s starting eleven.
Borussia Dortmund plan to start the match in a 4-2-3-1 system. Reus will take his position behind the front line, and it is likely that Niclas Füllkrug will once again start as a striker. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens took his chance against Wolfsburg on his starting eleven debut this season and is likely to start in the Kraichgau as well.
Hoffenheim – Dortmund direct comparison & stats
Statistics tend to favour Borussia Dortmund. Hoffenheim recorded seven wins against Dortmund in direct encounters, while Borussia have won 15 times against TSG. Last season, Dortmund won both matches by a narrow 1:0 margin.
- Hoffenheim have not won any of their last six duels with Dortmund.
- Duell between fifth and sixth place in the league
- Hoffenheim win 26% of halves, Dortmund win 48%
