Preview: Hertha Berlin vs. Borussia Monchengladbach - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, will be hoping to remain in the top half of the table by the end of the weekend.

Match preview

Having survived relegation by the skin of their teeth after coming from behind to beat Hamburger SV in a two-legged relegation play-off last season, the alarm bells are loudly ringing at Hertha after returning from the World Cup with four straight defeats.

Losing 3-1 away to relegation rivals VfL Bochum in their first game back has clearly set the tone for what has followed, with Die Alte Dame failing to score a goal across three defeats to Wolfsburg, Union Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Given those three teams all head into the weekend occupying top seven spots in the table, defeat for Hertha was always the most likely outcome in each of them, but losing by an aggregate score of 10-0 does not provide much evidence of an imminent upturn in form under Sandro Schwarz.

With another tricky away trip to high-flying Borussia Dortmund to come next Sunday, the 44-year-old is under massive pressure to deliver a positive result against Gladbach, otherwise he could find himself out of a job come Monday morning.

Gladbach, on the other hand, are having a much more serene season, even if Daniel Farke has struggled to find consistency from his players during his first season in charge of the club.

Die Fohlen returned from the World Cup with two defeats themselves before thrashing Hoffenheim 4-1 away from home, but they were frustrated against rock-bottom Schalke 04 last weekend as the two sides shared the points after a goalless draw.

Farke's side were perhaps surprised by the attacking intent displayed by the visitors, who racked up 19 shots across the course of the encounter, with both goalkeepers pulling off some excellent saves to preserve their clean sheets.

After finishing 10th last season, clinging onto a top half position would represent minor progress under Farke's tutelage, but the former Norwich City boss will be hoping to put struggling opposition to the sword this time around.

Hertha Berlin Bundesliga form:

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Borussia Monchengladbach Bundesliga form:

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Team News

Hertha's perilous position in the table is certainly not being helped by an injury crisis at the club, with Rune Jarstein, Stevan Jovetic, Kelian Nsona, Peter Pekarik and Agustin Rogel all ruled out of Sunday's fixture.

Marvin Plattenhardt, Tjark Ernst and Wilfried Kanga are all doubts, too, with Maximilian Mittelstadt on stand-by to replace the former should the left-back's muscle strain rule him out of action.

Gladbach, meanwhile, will travel without the suspended Julian Weigl after the former Dortmund midfielder received his fifth caution of the season against Schalke. Christoph Kramer is likely to drop into a deeper role in the engine room, allowing Alassane Plea to return to the starting XI as Farke searches for more offensive threat.

Yvandro Borges Sanches is likely to remain sidelined by a tendon injury, while Oscar Fraulo may stay at home having suffered with flu in recent days.

Hertha Berlin possible starting lineup:

Christensen; Kenny, Uremovic, Kempf, Plattenhardt; Tousart, Cigerci, Serdar; Richter, Niederlechner, Lukebakio

Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:

Omlin; Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Bensebaini; Kramer, Kone; Hofmann, Stindl, Plea; Thuram

We say: Hertha Berlin 0-2 Borussia Monchengladbach

Gladbach will be determined to rediscover their shooting boots after blanking against Schalke last time out, with Hertha perhaps the most accommodating side in the league at present.

The Olympiastadion is likely to vociferously support their players during the early exchanges given their side's lowly position in the table, but things could turn a little nasty towards Schwarz should they fall behind early on.

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