Hannover 96 - Borussia Dortmund preview: BVB look to keep up momentum

With Borussia Dortmund up in 1st, facing 16th placed and winless Hannover 96 should be run of the mill for Thomas Tuchel's flying side.

Dortmund have lost just three of their last 18 Bundesliga games and look even better in the early stages of the current season. Hannover have contrasting fortunes after scrambling to a 13th place finish in a season which easily could've resulted in relegation. The departures of last season's top scorer Joselu to Stoke City and talismanic captain Lars Stindl to Borussia Mönchengladbach, Hannover need to find new heroes or this forthcoming season could be an even bigger struggle than the last.

With star midfielders Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Shinji Kagawa looking back to their best, could Dortmund forget about the departure of Jürgen Klopp with a title push? If they are, early season momentum is key.

Key Players

For Hannover, they will look to new strike partnership Mevlüt Erdinç and Charlison Benschop for inspiration. With the previous, who recently signed from Saint Etienne, yet to get off the mark in Germany, could a goal against the mighty Dortmund be what he needs to get his Bundesliga career started?

Dortmund will undoubtedly be looking elsewhere for inspiration this weekend with Reus on the sidelines, meaning the goals and assists will have to come from other options in midfield with the previously mentioned pair Mkhitaryan and Kagawa being the main threats for Hannover to deal with.

Mkhitaryan and Kagawa are not the only threats to deal with, Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has started the season in brilliant form and will spearhead the Dortmund attack again.

Team News

Tuchel confirmed late this week that Colombian striker Adrian Ramos was a doubt for Saturday's game, meaning he will join Marco Reus, Lukasz Piszczek, Erik Durm and Nuri Sahin on the injury list for Dortmund in this league clash.

Fortunately for Michael Frontzeck's side, Hannover only have to contend with a doubtful Manuel Schmiedebach in midfield, meaning the home side should be close to full strength for the arrival of Dortmund.