Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Hertha Berlin: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Having kicked off 2022 with victory away at Bayern Munich, it looked like Gladbach would move clear of the relegation drama after a tough start to the season. But that hasn't happened, with Ginter & Co. only managing five points in the seven league outings since, conceding 18 goals in that time. Coach Adi Hütter, who will miss this game as he self-isolates, was critical of his defenders last matchday after the Foals blew a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at VfB Stuttgart. It left Borussia in 13th place and only five points above their previous opponents in the automatic drop zone. Ramy Bensebaini is suspended, so a further change at the back is required, but Stefan Lainer and Marvin Friedrich have both trained again this week after having flu. It means American teenager Joe Scally should still feature. It just remains to be seen on which side of defence he's utilised. Top scorer Jonas Hofmann is also out after picking up an injury in training and will be sidelined for some time.

Gladbach are almost sitting pretty compared to Hertha's predicament right now. The Berliners haven't won a game since stunning Borussia Dortmund in the final fixture of 2021, only managing to pick up two more points in the ensuing eight matches. Last week's heavy 4-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt left them in the relegation play-off spot and now only a point above Stuttgart and the drop zone. The gap to Arminia Bielefeld in outright safety is still only two, so Tayfun Korkut will be relieved to welcome back first-choice goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow. He's set to return in net for 20-year-old Marcel Lotka, who will join Dortmund in the summer, after he deputised in the last two games. Boateng looks set to continue his role from the bench.

Match stats

Scally has made 25 competitive appearances for Gladbach, among them 21 starts.

Alassane Plea's had a direct hand in six goals across Gladbach's last five matches (two goals, four assists).

Gladbach have conceded at least twice in each of their last six Bundesliga home matches, shipping 17 goals in total.

Hertha have only won one of five Bundesliga matches in which six-goal leading marksman Stevan Jovetic has scored (D2, L2).

The last time Hertha went eight matches to start a Rückrunde without a win, they were relegated (1990/91).

The Old Lady have claimed just two points across their last seven away Bundesliga games, and won only one of their previous 10 in Mönchengladbach (D2, L7).

Probable line-ups

Gladbach: Sommer (c) - Ginter, Friedrich, Elvedi - Lainer, Kone, Kramer, Scally - Neuhaus, Thuram - Plea

Out: Bensebaini (suspended), Doucoure (muscular), Hofmann (muscular), Stindl (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Adi Hütter

Hertha: Schwolow - Pekarik, Boyata (c), Kempf, Mittelstädt - Richter, Tousart, Darida, Serdar - Belfodil, Jovetic

Out: Jarstein (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Tayfun Korkut