Borussia Dortmund's home match against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday at Signal Iduna Park could have significant ramifications at both ends of the table.
Seventh-placed BVB drew 1-1 with Borussia Monchengladbach on December 7 and their tally of 21 points is just three fewer than fourth-placed RB Leipzig, who occupy the division's final Champions League spot, while the visitors are fourth last in 14th place with 13 points and drew 1-1 with Freiburg on December 8.
Match preview
The hosts were will perhaps feel that they should have taken all three points against Borussia Monchengladbach given Dortmund created over 1.5 xG from open play while restricting Die Fohlen to just 0.34 xG from open play.
Nuri Sahin's team also succumbed to Barcelona on Wednesday night in the Champions League, and their 3-2 defeat left them in ninth place with 12 points in the league phase table.
The match itself was quite concerning from a defensive perspective given Dortmund appeared to be particularly vulnerable during counter-attacks.
Sahin was in no mood to discuss the positives from the game, telling reporters: "I don't want to hear that we played a good game. I want us to win these games and we will win these games. We have to learn that as quickly as possible. I have a young team, we have talent, we have quality, but I want winners! We have to become winners."
BVB have failed to win any of their past three outings, although they did play Barcelona and Bayern Munich in that time, and have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six Bundesliga matches.
Though the home side are winless in their two most recent fixtures at Signal Iduna Park, they did win their prior eight at home, and their defeat against Barcelona was their only loss on at the stadium this season.
As for the visitors, though they are only three points ahead of 16th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy the league's relegation playoff spot, they will likely be pleased by their draw with Freiburg considering they had lost the previous three outings.
Boss Christian Ilzer's side were held to a 0-0 stalemate by FCSB on Thursday in the Europa League, a match in which each team produced three big chances.
Ahead of the clash on Sunday, Ilzer encouraged his players to play bravely against Dortmund, saying: "They're completely on track, now they simply need to get their reward. It is important that we now pursue our approach consistently and make adjustments to the important points."
Hoffenheim have scored 18 goals and conceded on 25 occasions in the Bundesliga, and these are the division's 12th best offensive and joint fourth worst defensive records.
The visitors' form on the road has been alarming for some time, with the club having failed to achieve victory in any of their 10 games away from home, losing six and drawing four in that period.
Team News
In positive news for Dortmund, forward Karim Adeyemi is set to be available in some capacity following an enforced absence since October, but he may have to come on from the bench for one of Donyell Malen, Marcel Sabitzer or Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
Attackers Julian Brandt and Maximilian Beier will miss out due to respective hamstring and knee injuries, while centre-backs Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Sule and Waldemar Anton have been ruled out.
Sahin may have no other choice but to start midfielder Emre Can in a back four alongside Ramy Bensebaini in central defence.
The visitors' injury list is extensive, with centre-backs Ozan Kabak, Florian Grillitsch and Christopher Lenz ruled out, leaving Arthur Chaves and Stanley N'Soki as likely candidates to start in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.
Elsewhere, forward Adam Hlozek may be supported by Andrej Kramaric, Tom Bischof and Jacob Brunn Larsen considering Marius Bulter and Ihlas Bebou will not be available for selection.
Midfielders Grischa Promel, Umut Tohumcu and Finn Becker's absences could mean that Anton Stach is partnered by Diadie Samassekou.
Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Kobel; Couto, Can, Bensebaini, Ryerson; Gross, Nmecha; Malen, Sabitzer, Gittens; Guirassy
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Gendrey, Chaves, Nsoki, Prass; Stach, Samassekou; Bischof, Kramaric, Larsen; Hlozek
We say: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Hoffenheim
Dortmund are in the midst of an injury crisis in their backline, and it would be remarkable if they managed to keep Hoffenheim at bay.
Having said that, the visitors record away from home is poor while Dortmund's is strong, and the hosts should come into Sunday's match as favourites.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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