The 2024/25 Bundesliga season resumes this week with Matchday 31. The latest round of fixtures starts on Friday with the game between VfB Stuttgart and FC Heidenheim before the action on Saturday kicks off with five simultaneous matches, including TSG Hoffenheim vs Borussia Dortmund as the Rhein-Neckar Arena.
TSG Hoffenheim would have hoped to push for European qualification again this season after finishing seventh in the Bundsliga standings last term. However, the Kraichgauers have struggled throughout the 2024/25 campaign, picking up only seven wins in 30 appearances thus far and sitting a spot above the relegation playoff place. However, Christian Ilzer’s men can ensure their safety with a favourable result this weekend.
On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund started the 2024/25 season hot off the gates, rising to second on the table after Matchday 3. However, they managed only five wins in the subsequent 15 Bundesliga matches, which cost Nuri Sahin his job in his debut season. While Niko Kovac was slow off the blocks after replacing the former Turkish international, he has overseen a turnaround in recent weeks, with the Black and Yellows winning three of their last four league games.
The reverse fixture saw TSG Hoffenheim come from a goal down to hold Borussia Dortmund to a 1-1 draw, with Jacob Bruun Larsen scoring the equaliser. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Christian Ilzer has a new roster issue that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The TSG Hoffenheim manager might be bereft of the services of as many as seven first-team players vs Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Tom Bischof is the latest absentee as he serves a suspension due to the accumulation of yellow cards. The German midfielder has joined Ihlas Bebou (knee), Valentin Gendrey (collarbone), Ozan Kabak (knee), Grischa Promel (knee), Diadie Samassekou (thigh) on the sidelines. In addition, Ilzer is sweating over Christopher Lenz’s fitness due to a calf issue.
Oliver Baumann will take his spot between the sticks, with TSG Hoffenheim lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation in front of him vs Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. The central defensive unit should feature Arthur Chaves, Leo Ostigard, and Stanley Nsoki.
Pavel Kaderabek and Marius Bulter will likely start as the two wing-backs, with Anton Stach and Dennis Geiger pairing up in the central areas. Finally, Haris Tabakovic should lead the line for TSG Hoffenheim against Borussia Dortmund, with Andrej Kramaric and Bazoumana Toure providing creative support.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Baumann; Chaves, Ostigard, Nsoki; Kaderabek, Stach, Geiger, Bulter; Toure, Kramaric; Tabakovic
Like his counterpart in the TSG Hoffenheim dugout, Niko Kovac has a new issue to worry about ahead of the trip to the Rhein-Neckar Arena. The Borussia Dortmund manager might be without five first-team players on Saturday.
Pascal Gross is the latest absentee due to a knee injury. The German international has joined Cole Campbell (knock), Marcel Sabitzer (knee), and Nico Schlotterbeck (knee) on the sidelines. In addition, Kovac is sweating over Maximilian Beier’s fitness.
Gregor Kobel is the automatic pick between the sticks, with Borussia Dortmund lining up in a 3-1-4-2 formation in front of him vs TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday. The central defensive unit should feature Waldemar Anton, Emre Can, and Ramy Bensebaini.
Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson should be the two wing-backs, while Carney Chukwuemeka and Julian Brandt will be the two creative midfielders. Meanwhile, Felix Nmecha will hold the fort in the middle of the park, while Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi will be the two central strikers for the away side.
Probable Lineup (3-1-4-2): Kobel; Anton, Can, Bensebaini; Nmecha; Ryerson, Chukwuemeka, Brandt, Svensson; Guirassy, Adeyemi
While Andrej Kramaric, Karim Adeyemi, and Julian Brandt were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Serhou Guirassy as the Player to Watch for Saturday’s Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund at the Rhein-Neckar Arena.
The Guinean international has been exceptional in the 2024/25 season, having been a rare bright spot during Borussia Dortmund’s lean period and raising the bar further in the ongoing positive run. Guirassy’s exploits have compelled European bigwigs like Chelsea to seek a summer move, and he will hope to continue his excellent run this weekend.
While Bayern Munich can wrap up the Bundesliga title when they host FSV Mainz 05 at the Allianz Arena, the race to finish in the top four remains wide open. So, with Borussia Dormtund still in the hunt amid the late charge for UEFA Champions League qualification, another top-notch performance might be on the cards.
However, TSG Hoffenheim can potentially ensure safety with a favourable result, meaning a closely contested affair is possible this weekend. Expect Hoffenheim and Dortmund to trade blows, making it is midfield battle for the most part. However, the away side should have enough quality to eke a narrow victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a narrow 2-1 win for Niko Kovac and his charges.
