Hertha Berlin take on Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday with the visitors looking to get back to winning ways after suffering defeat to Bayern Munich prior to the international break.

Hertha, meanwhile, recorded their first win since the opening day of the season last time out at Augsburg.

Match preview

Indeed, Hertha's 3-0 win at Augsburg gave them some breathing space ahead of the relegation zone after a testing period of form which had seen them pick up just one point from five matches.

There was arguably an element of fortune about the win, though, with Augsburg forward Michael Gregoritsch's fine first-half strike harshly ruled out due to his armpit appearing to be offside when he was played through on goal.

There was nothing fortunate about the penalty Hertha received after Felix Uduokhai, who was called up to the Germany squad for the first time in the recent international break, inadvertently tripped Jhon Cordoba while attempting to clear the ball in the penalty area. Matheus Cunha coolly converted from the spot, electing to go straight down the middle, but it came at a cost with Cordoba limping off.

His replacement, Krzysztof Piatek, had a superb impact, crossing for Dodi Lukebakio, who doubled his side's lead before Piatek scored his first league goal of the season with a fine finish into the far corner after a superb counter-attack.

Dortmund manager Lucien Favre will have had a severe case of deja vu in his side's 3-2 defeat to Bayern prior to the international break, having lost by that scoreline in a similarly-entertaining affair when the two sides met in the German Super Cup in September.

Erling Braut Haaland was guilty of missing several chances during the match, with the experienced Robert Lewandowski showing his young counterpart how it is done with some clinical finishing (albeit two of his three strikes were disallowed for offside).

Dortmund had actually taken the lead moments before half time through Marco Reus's sharp strike, but crucially could not hold onto it heading into the break, with David Alaba's deflected free-kick sailing into the right corner.

Lewandowski and Leroy Sane took the game away from BVB, with Haaland finally converting after rounding Manuel Neuer, but it proved to be too little, too late for a side who simply must get back to winning ways in the German capital this weekend in order to keep pace with the reigning European champions.

Hertha Berlin Bundesliga form: LLLLDW

Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga form: LWWWWL
Borussia Dortmund form (all competitions): LWWWWL

Team News

Bruno Labbadia admitted he expects to be without Cordoba for the rest of 2020 after the striker sustained ankle ligament damage in the victory over Augsburg, with Jordan Torunarigha still sidelined by his own ligament damage.

Piatek now has a chance to cement a place in the first XI after a disappointing start to the season for the former AC Milan striker.

Favre, meanwhile, appears to have a host of defensive options available to choose from again, with only Marcel Schmelzer ruled out for the trip to Berlin after he underwent knee surgery.

The likes of Emre Can, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Manuel Akanji have all missed several matches this season due to injury and/or coronavirus, so an already strong defence could be about to get even stronger in forthcoming weeks.

Hertha Berlin possible starting lineup:
Schwolow; Pekarik, Boyata, Alderete, Plattenhardt; Stark, Guendouzi; Darida, Cunha; Lukebakio, Piatek

Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Burki; Meunier, Akanji, Hummels, Guerreiro; Witsel, Dahoud; Sancho, Reus, Reyna; Haaland

We say: Hertha Berlin 1-2 Borussia Dortmund

We can see a close encounter in Berlin, with Dortmund just about edging it due to their greater attacking quality, especially with Cordoba missing for the hosts.

It will certainly not be an easy match for Favre's side, though, especially with confidence dented after yet another defeat to title rivals Bayern.

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