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03.02.2023
Bundesliga

Matchday in focus: Hertha BSC

Hertha have won the second most challenges in the Bundesliga, while they’ve brought in an experienced striker to rectify their struggles in front of goal.

    Situation

    Hertha are in the midst of a relegation battle, currently sitting two points from safety in 17th place. The capital club have been coached by former Mainz boss Sandro Schwarz since the start of the season.

    Dodi Lukébakio in a challenge with Tuta.

    Absentees

    Kelian Nsona, Chidera Ejuke and Agustín Rogel are out for the visitors.

    For the Eagles, only Éric Junior Dina Ebimbe and Marcel Wenig are unavailable. There’s also a question mark over Faride Alidou, who twisted his ankle on Wednesday.

    One to watch: Florian Niederlechner

    Hertha’s tally of 20 goals in 18 games this season is the third lowest in the Bundesliga, so Florian Niederlechner was signed from Augsburg in January to add more threat in front of the opposition goal. The 32-year-old made his debut in last Saturday’s derby against Union Berlin.

    • Niederlechner has faced Eintracht 13 times in his career and scored three goals.
    • In total, he’s registered 44 goals and 15 assists in 182 Bundesliga games.
    Florian Niederlechner has faced Eintracht 13 times in his career.

    Stats and runs

    Eintracht are unbeaten in six league matches (W3 D3). The Eagles have already picked up more home wins (five) than in the whole of last season. Hertha, meanwhile, have lost six of their last seven Bundesliga outings, including the first game of the second half of the season for the fourth year in a row.

    The Old Lady have won 1,871 challenges so far this term, the second most in the German top flight after Bayern Munich (2,000).

    Head-to-head

    Hertha have gained more points against Eintracht than against any other side in the Bundesliga, winning 30 of the teams’ meetings. Frankfurt have come out on top in 20 and there have been 19 draws.

    Eintracht midfielder Mario Götze.

    Key battle: Suat Serdar vs. Mario Götze

    Mario Götze can expect to come up against Suat Serdar against Hertha. As well as being the creative force in Eintracht’s play, Götze has also made the most intensive runs in the entire league with 1,622. On Saturday, the 30-year-old will face Suat Serdar in the heart of midfield. With 185 duels won, Serdar is one of the strongest tacklers in the league and pulls the strings in the Berliners’ midfield along with Lucas Tousart.