Injury-hit Borussia Dortmund desperately need a victory ahead of the winter break having won just one of last five league fixtures, but the home game against in-form Hertha will by anything but a walk in the park. Having well exceeded all expectations, the Old Lady arrive at Signal-Iduna Park without any pressure, but hoping for another good result.

Sarr and Durm seize their chance

Borussia Dortmund officials did really well to sign a number of quality players using the money from the unexpected sale of Mario Gotze to arch rivals Bayern Munich, with Jurgen Klopp once again integrating the new signings into the squad with incredible ease. As a result, the Millionaires enjoyed a bright start to the league campaign, while ensuring progress from the Champions League group of death, but then the injuries started mounting and effectively took the wind out of team’s sails. In spite of all their problems, BVB did well to make it to Champions League knockout stages, but the absence of key defenders cost them dearly on domestic stage, with nine conceded goals in last five fixtures the main reason behind just four points won in this period. With inexperienced defenders Marian Sarr and Eric Durm set to start against Hertha as well, the poor defensive run looks likely to continue, but that should be no problem as long as Lewandowski and co. turn on the style and ensure the good atmosphere in the squad is kept ahead of the international break.

Marcel Schmelzer could play some part after recovering from injury, but Jakub Blaszczykowski and Sebastian Kehl face fitness tests and Mats Hummels, Sven Bander, Ilkay Gundogan and Neven Subotic are out injured.

Hertha continue to impress

A number of newly-promoted sides have been making waves in top European leagues this season and Hertha Berlin are certainly one of those. The Old Lady enjoyed an excellent start to the new Bundesliga campaign and while they unsurprisingly suffered a dip in form in September and October, the team impressed to return to the right track. Hertha recovered well from back to back home setbacks against Bayer Leverkusen and Augsburg, defeating Eintracht Braunschweig and Werder Bremen in their last two fixtures, and having climbed to seventh in the overall standings, Jos Luhukay’s side clearly go into the Borussia Dortmund game high on confidence. With star striker Adrian Ramos in the best form of his life and their opponents largely struggling at the back, everything suggests Hertha will continue their impressive scoring run on the road (scored in all but one away game this term), although I seriously doubt their own back line is strong enough to cope with Borussia’s formidable attack. I, therefore, expect the Old Lady to put up a decent fight at Signal-Iduna Park, but just cannot see them getting anything from this match.

John Brooks and Fabian Holland are doubtful with a bout of flu, but Sebastian Langkamp, Johannes van den Bergh, Anis Ben Hatira and Alexander Baumjohann remain in the infirmary.

Verdict

Borussia Dortmund will be very motivated to end a barren run of results and the sheer quality of their front line should prove enough for a much needed victory. Meanwhile, expect Hertha to score at Signal-Iduna Park, but to still return home empty-handed.

Top pick: Both teams to score   1.67 (2/3) @ BetVictor

Alternative pick: Home win+both teams to score   2.70 (17/10) @ Coral

Alternative pick 2: Dortmund/Dortmund   1.96 (24/25) @ 888sport