Borussia Dortmund will look to put last week's controversial loss behind them with a visit to Hoffenheim. BVB haven't won in their last three matches and will be hoping that Sunday's match will be a cure for what ails them.
Last week against Wolfsburg, Marcel Schmelzer was incorrectly sent off for a handball in the penalty area. Down to ten men for 55 minutes, BVB was unable to keep their normal level of pressure and conceded three times against Wolfsburg's rather poor offense. The sending off masked what has become an issue for BVB in the first half of the season: They've already dropped eight points at home. They only dropped five at home all of last season.
Can we talk about Hoffenheim? Better yet, can we talk about how awful Hoffenheim has been? This is a team that many pundits were thinking would challenge for a European place by the end of the season. They currently sit in the relegation playoff place. Here's a remarkable stat: They've already conceded four goals in four different games this season. Their defensive ineptitude is unbelievable to watch.
If you were expecting an intense and close match, this match may not be the one for you. Borussia Dortmund are too talented and too well coached to drop points against Hoffenheim this season.
Hoffenheim injuries and suspensions
Out: Boris Vukcevic (auto accident), Matthieu Delpierre (calf), Tim Wiese (knee), Stefan Thesker (achilles), Chris (thigh).
Borussia Dortmund injuries and suspensions
Out: Sven Bender (groin), Sebastian Kehl (knee), Chris Löwe (groin), Patrick Owomoyela (calf).
Match Date/Time: 15:30 CET, 9:30 a.m. ET
Venue: Rhein-Neckar Arena, Sinsheim, Germany
TV: Gol TV (U.S. & Canada)