Hertha Berlin vs Borussia Dortmund Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By George Cannon
Hertha Berlin welcome Borussia Dortmund to the Olympiastadion at the weekend as they look to build on their victory over Augsburg last time out.
Bruno Labbadia's men have lofty ambitions this season, given the wealth of their new owners, but the capital club have got off to a tricky start. Just two wins from their first seven Bundesliga games of the season has left them in 12th position, just four points above the relegation zone.
Dortmund, on the other hand, sit third in the table and will be hoping to recover from a narrow 3-2 loss in Der Klassiker suffered before the international break.
Where to Watch on TV
When Is Kick Off? Saturday 21 November
What Time Is Kick Off? 19:30 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Olympiastadion
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport 2 (UK)
Team News
Labbadia has confirmed he will be without summer signing Jhon Cordoba for the rest of the year after the Colombian striker suffered an ankle injury in their 3-0 win over Augsburg. Former AC Milan striker Krzysztof Piątek will likely get another chance to impress after struggling since making the move to Germany. Centre back Jordan Torunarigha is the only other confirmed absentee, with the academy graduate still sidelined by ankle ligament damage.
Lucien Favre appears to have benefitted from the international break more than most managers, with the Dortmund boss seeing several key names return from injury. Emre Can, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Manuel Akanji have all been on the treatment table or absent due to injury or/and coronavirus throughout the campaign, but are now available for selection.
Veteran left back Marcel Schmelzer is the only player unavailable for Saturday's encounter after the German defender recently underwent knee surgery.
Predicted Lineups
Hertha Berlin: Schwolow; Pekarik, Boyata, Alderete, Plattenhardt; Stark, Guendouzi; Darida, Cunha; Lukebakio, Piatek.
Borussia Dortmund: Burki; Meunier, Akanji, Hummels, Guerreiro; Witsel, Dahoud; Sancho, Reus, Reyna; Haaland.
Recent Form
Hertha relieved some pressure before the players departed to represent their national teams, securing their first win since the opening day of the season. Their newfound wealth has brought higher expectations of this sleeping giant, and so far they have struggled to live up to them.
Dortmund, meanwhile, have fared considerably better. Although disappointing losses to Augsburg, Lazio and fierce rivals Bayern Munich show there is room for improvement, the impressive goalscoring form of star striker Erling Haaland and the eight clean sheets in 11 matches have left a sense of optimism surrounding the Signal Iduna Park.
Favre's men are currently just three points behind reigning champions Bayern and one behind Julian Nagelsmann's Leipzig after seven games, with the ambition of stopping the Bavarian giants' bid for a ninth domestic title in a row still a possibility.
Here's how the two sides have fared in their last five fixtures.
Hertha Berlin
Augsburg 0-3 Hertha Berlin (7/11)
Hertha Berlin 1-1 Wolfsburg (1/11)
RB Leipzig 2-1 Hertha Berlin (24/10)
Hertha Berlin 0-2 Stuttgart (17/10)
Bayern Munich 4-3 Hertha Berlin (4/10)
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Bayern Munich (7/11)
Club Brugge 0-3 Borussia Dortmund (4/11)
Arminia Bielefeld 0-2 Borussia Dortmund (31/10)
Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Zenit St Petersburg (28/10)
Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Schalke (24/10)
Prediction
Hertha Berlin will enter this Bundesliga clash full of confidence following on from their impressive victory in their previous fixture, but Dortmund will represent a considerable step up in class.
BVB will be looking to keep the pressure on Hansi Flick's table toppers and should have too much for Labbadia's charges.
Prediction: Hertha Berlin 1-2 Borussia Dortmund