Matchday 14 kicks off at Signal Iduna Park where Borussia Dortmund host TSG Hoffenheim. The home side look to turn around their poor run of form against a flying Markus Gisdol managed Hoffenheim side.
Borussia Dortmund have become used to success in recent seasons, but now find themselves bottom of the league and in desperate need of points, a win could lift them off the foot of the table. Hoffenheim, meanwhile, are eyeing a second straight victory to boost their European bid.
Die Borussen thought they had seen the back of the poor run of form when they beat Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 11 after five straight losses. However, this dreadful run of form has rose back to the surface since then, though, with a draw in Paderborn and last week's catastrophic loss in Frankfurt. Hoffenheim's win last weekend was their first in four games.
Team News
Notable absentees for the home side including Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, out with a fractured tibia, and Marco Reus sidelined with ankle ligament damage. However, defender Mats Hummels returns after missing the last three matches with a foot injury.
Hoffenheim only missing suspended striker Adam Szalai from his first-team squad, although the Hungarian would likely have only made the bench as Anthony Modeste has been preferred away from home this season. Sven Schipplock, who started in Hoffenheim’s home win over Hannover 96, is also an option to lead the line.
Pre Match Thoughts
Hummels: A win has never been more important for us. This is a massive game.
Klopp: This isn't about delivering our best performance. It's about winning. It's high noon on Friday.
Gisdol: Dortmund and 18th place are two things that don't go together.
[Find the full Markus Gisdol interview here: https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/germany-bundesliga/422482-gisdol-dortmund-and-18th-in-the-table-those-two-things-do-not-go-together.html]
Last season Dortmund won 3-2 at home and were held to a 2-2 draw in Sinsheim. A win would mean Klopp's side would leapfrog out of the relegation zone, can they beat high-flying Hoffenheim and turn their season around?