Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund may have to do without star striker Paco Alcacer as they entertain Hertha Berlin on Matchday 9, but coach Lucien Favre will be confident that Marco Reus, Jadon Sancho and Christian Pulisic can keep his side three points clear at the top on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST/2.30pm BST/9.30am ET).
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Alcacer was left out of Dortmund's squad for Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid due to a thigh strain, although that didn't stop BVB inflicting a heaviest-ever defeat on the Spanish giants under Diego Simeone (4-0). The Barcelona loanee is likely to start on the bench against Hertha with Maximilian Philipp replacing him, while Mahmoud Dahoud should come in for Thomas Delaney, who went off with a foot problem after 35 minutes in midweek. Sancho and Pulisic are vying for a starting spot on the right wing as Dortmund look to make it five straight wins in the Bundesliga, and seven in all competitions.
After their superb win over Bayern Munich on Matchday 6, Hertha have gone off the boil slightly in recent weeks, playing out draws with mid-table Mainz and Freiburg. Pal Dardai will be able to bolster his defence at the Signal Iduna Park as centre-backs Niklas Stark and Karim Rekik return, while Arne Maier should keep his place in defensive midfield despite a recent infection. However, the game comes too soon for Jordan Torunarigha and Marko Grujic, who are working their way back to full fitness after injury. Winger Mathew Leckie could provide a useful injection of pace for the visitors but is expected to start on the bench.
Match stats
Dortmund have won all four of their home games this season, scoring 18 goals and conceding five.
Historically, Bayern are the only team to have scored more goals after eight matches than the current Dortmund team (27). The record champions registered 29 in 1976/77 and 28 in 2014/15.
Reus is up to five goals and four assists in eight Bundesliga outings this season – only Frankfurt's Sebastien Haller (five goals, five assists) has had a hand in more goals.
Hertha talisman Ondrej Duda is the highest-scoring midfielder in the current Bundesliga campaign with six goals.
Hertha have allowed a league-high 127 shots on their goal this season. Dortmund are averaging a goal every four shots on target.
The Old Lady have kept one clean sheet in their 31 trips to Dortmund to date.
Probable line-ups
Dortmund: Bürki – Piszczek, Diallo, Zagadou, Hakimi – Witsel, Dahoud – Sancho, Reus (c), Bruun Larsen – PhilippAbsentees: Schmelzer (knee), Akanji (hip)Coach: Lucien Favre
Hertha: Jarstein – Lazaro, Stark, Rekik, Plattenhardt – Maier, Skjelbred – Kalou, Duda, Dilrosun – Ibisevic (c)Absentees: Gersbeck (cruciate ligament), Kade (ankle), Torunarigha, Grujic (both fitness)Coach: Pal Dardai.