Friday evening entertainment at Westfalenstadion
Borussia Dortmund look to make amends for their 2-1 loss to Freiburg last time out when they play Hoffenheim at Westfalenstadion this Friday evening. In the Friday evening spotlight Marco Rose will identify this as a chance to send a message to the rest of the Bundesliga and Europe that BVB are alive and kicking under his stewardship. Hoffenheim are one point above Dortmund, sitting pretty in second place only behind Wolfsburg in the table after just two matches. Despite last week’s result Dortmund are firm odds on favourites, Hoffenheim will be determined to upset the odds.
Background
Andrej Kramaric remains a key man for the visitors, continuing to go from strength to strength, aged 30, hitting his straps in the Bundesliga. The Croatian has popped up with three assists in the opening two outings, albeit a small sample size but it is nice to think that this matchup is between a side averaging 3.5 goals per game and the other 3 goals per game.
Erling Haaland continues to show his class at Dortmund, touted for a spot at Chelsea this summer before Romelu Lukaku took his potential spot. It feels like this will be the Norwegian’s final season at Westfalenstadion with his release clause a lot more affordable next summer.
Marco Reus has been rolling back the years at the start of this season, three direct goal involvements, one goal and two assists, the German will be keen to make up for lost time after a torrid last decade or so in the treatment room. Dortmund showed their promise in winning the DFB Pokal and putting an impressive run together to ensure Champions League qualification for this season.
Dortmund are deservedly favourites and the loss last week may give them a further edge, however you cannot right off this Hoffenheim side on a one game basis. They are unbeaten in their last three visits to Dortmund and smashed BVB 4-0 in the last game of the 2019/20 season, with Kramaric bagging all four.
The visitors kicked off the campaign with a 4-0 win at Augsburg, however were a little fortunate in their 2-2 home draw with Union Berlin last time out, Union were the side in the ascendancy if there was going to be a side to snatch a winner.
This should be premium Friday evening Bundesliga entertainment, Dortmund are rightful favourites, not providing value though so it is a goals selection for me.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
This one copped with just over 20 minutes left as BVB grabbed a last gasp winner, thanks to Erling Haaland. 3-2.