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Dortmund logo
Bundesliga
May 9, 2015 at 2.30pm UK
 
Hertha Berlin logo

2-0

Subotic (9'), Durm (47')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs. Hertha Berlin

Sports Mole looks ahead to Saturday's Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlin.

Two teams looking to finish the season strongly for very different reasons meet on Saturday afternoon when Borussia Dortmund host Hertha Berlin at Signal Iduna Park.

Hertha are still not safe from the threat of relegation as the drama continues in the bottom half of the table, while Dortmund are looking to keep alive their bid for a top-six finish.


Dortmund

Dortmund's Gabonese midfielder Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring the equalizer during the German Cup DFB Pokal semi-final football match FC Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund in Munich, southern Germany, on April 28, 2015© Getty Images

As Dortmund's loyal supporters finally come to terms with the fact that Jurgen Klopp will no longer be at the club in the summer, the squad are still striving to produce their best football to ensure that the manager signs off in style.

In a campaign which will be remembered mostly for their struggles earlier in the season, Dortmund have managed to storm up the table in recent months to put pressure on the teams battling for a place in the top six.

Their momentum was halted last weekend when Hoffenheim battled to a 1-1 draw at the Rhein-Neckar Arena, but Dortmund remain just three points behind sixth-placed Augsburg.

It means that Europa League qualification is still possible through two routes as Dortmund look to finish the Bundesliga season with three victories before turning their attention to the DFB-Pokal final against Wolfsburg.

A tricky trip to Wolfsburg next weekend could have a big say on their hopes of catching Augsburg before Werder Bremen arrive at Signal Iduna park on the final day of the league campaign.

Thomas Tuchel will be under pressure to deliver the success Klopp enjoyed for so much of his spell in charge, but it's the latter who remains in the spotlight as he targets the perfect finish to his seven-year reign.

Recent form: WLLWWD
Recent form (all competitions: WLWWWD


Hertha Berlin

Hertha's Japanese midfielder Genki Haraguchi (L) and Moenchengladbach's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Hertha BSC Berlin and Borussia Moenchengladbach at the Olympic Stadiu© Getty Images

There is certainly no doubt that the pressure is on Hertha heading into the final three games, and the supporters are unlikely to be given the opportunity to relax before the last match of the season.

Despite currently occupying 13th spot in the table, Hertha sit just four points ahead of Freiburg, who are currently lying in the relegation playoff place ahead of Hannover and Stuttgart.

The surprising results which have dominated events in the bottom half of the table in recent weeks mean that Hertha are far from safe, and Pal Dardai will be fully aware that his side will probably need another victory to secure their Bundesliga status for another season.

Hertha would usually travel to Signal Iduna Park with little pressure on their shoulders, but the need for points are clear as the visitors prepare for three vital games, and with fixtures against three sides in the top half of the table remaining, Dardai's men will need to produce an upset at some stage to feel safe.

The future of Dardai remains unclear after he took charge on an interim basis, and he will be keen to make his case for the permanent job by leading Hertha to safety as quickly as possible.

Losses to Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach came as no surprise, but they did damage to morale for a side that has gone four games without a win. That run needs to come to an end to lift the gloom in the capital.

Recent form: WWDDLL


Team News

Bayern Munich's Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso and Dortmund's striker Marco Reus (R) vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund vs FC Bayern Munich in Dortmund, western Germany, on April 4, 2015© Getty Images

Injuries have played such a big part in Dortmund's season, and their preparations have been dealt a blow once again with the news that Marco Reus will miss the visit of Hertha.

An adductor problem stopped him from playing against Hoffenheim and the attacking midfielder will not be risked this weekend, while Roman Weidenfeller is expected to miss out as he continues his recovery from a back injury.

There was worse news for Nuri Sahin, who has not played since February, after it was confirmed that he will not play again this season.

Anis Ben-Hatira is still pushing to prove his worth to Dardai, and he could be handed a start at the weekend, while Julian Schieber is unlikely to return to the Hertha squad.

Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Langerak, Schmelzer, Hummels, Subotic, Piszczek, Gundogan, Kehl, Mkhitaryan, Kagawa, Aubameyang, Immobile

Hertha possible starting lineup:
Kraft, Pekarik, Langkamp, Brooks, Plattenhardt, Skjelbred, Lustenberger, N'Djeng, Haraguchi, Stocker, Kalou


Head To Head

Schieber was the hero in the reverse fixture back in December as he scored the only goal of the game to hand Hertha all three points in the capital.

Despite Dortmund's success under Klopp, they have often struggled against Hertha and have lost three of the last three Bundesliga matches between the two teams.

Hertha have claimed 2-1 victories in their most recent two trips to Signal Iduna Park, and Dortmund have only won one of seven home fixtures against the opposition in all competitions since 2006.


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We say: Dortmund 2-0 Hertha

The pressure is on the Dortmund squad to keep their top-six hopes alive and they will be keen to build momentum ahead of the DFB-Pokal final. Hertha desperately need points in the fight to avoid relegation, but they could slip closer to the bottom three on Saturday.



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Dortmund's head coach Jurgen Klopp reacts after the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund vs SC Paderborn in Dortmund, western Germany, on April 18, 2015
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4Borussia DortmundDortmund26148453322150
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