Hertha Berlin vs TSG Hoffenheim

Hertha Berlin’s hopes of avoiding Bundesliga relegation are hanging by a thread as they welcome high-flying TSG Hoffenheim at the Olympiastadion.

Hertha look to be sinking without a trace after a run of five consecutive Bundesliga defeats took their winless league streak to a staggering nine matches (D2, L7). Owners of the longest ongoing losing run in the Bundesliga, ‘Die Adler’ stare down the barrel of a sixth top-flight loss in a row for the first time since 2012. Newly-appointed boss Felix Magath will have to wait for a while to make his touchline debut after testing positive for Covid-19. Magath’s absence could spell more problems for Hertha, who are experiencing their worst start to the second half of the Bundesliga season since 1990/91. Signs are ominous, as the last time they won two points from their first nine top-flight games in the second half of the campaign, they were relegated.

Unlike their hosts, Hoffenheim are flying high in the Bundesliga, even though an enthralling 1-1 home draw with record-time champions Bayern Munich last time out knocked them down from a four-game winning league streak. The visitors have amassed the club-joint second-best 44 Bundesliga points so far. They are only one point adrift of third-placed Bayer Leverkusen, meaning their Champions League ambitions are still very much alive. ‘Die Kraichgauer’ have developed a habit of grinding out results in the second half of the season, with no other Bundesliga side winning more points from losing positions than Hoffenheim (9) in that period. They will show up in Berlin in a confident mood after losing just one of their last 12 Bundesliga meetings with Hertha (W8, D3) and running out 2-0 victors in the reverse fixture back in October.