Borussia Dortmund have managed to clock up six consecutive home victories over TSG Hoffenheim in both the league and the cup. Nonetheless, each of these matches was closely contested: extra time was needed to separate the two sides in the cup, while in all of the Bundesliga encounters - with one exception - BVB only emerged victorious by a single goal. In this one exception, the goals only came after the 80th minute in what ended up a 3-1 win for the hosts...

The scenario: It's first against eighth. The team from Westphalia have won three of their last four Bundesliga matches, while the Kraichgau outfit have only been defeated once in the last 13 matchdays. In the head-to-head record between the two clubs, Borussia Dortmund have only lost once in the last 12 competitive encounters.  

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Home and away: BVB are undefeated in ten matches at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK in the league and have picked up 28 out of a possible 30 points at home. Never before have the club had a better home record after playing ten games in Dortmund in a Bundesliga campaign (in 2015/16 they also managed 28 points). TSG have lost none of their last seven away matches in the top tier (four wins, three draws), meaning they are just one away from the all-time club record of eight away matches without a loss. 

Personnel: Lucien Favre will give his thoughts on the personnel situation at his pre-match press conference, which by way of exception will take place this Friday (14:30 CET, live on BVB TV). According to kicker magazine, the guests' absentee list is made up of only one player: the injured Rupp. 

Head-to-head: BVB have only lost one of their last 12 home matches against TSG in both the league and the cup. This one defeat came in 18 May 2013, when Hoffenheim ran out 2-1 winners. Borussia have won six consecutive home matches, although five of them were decided by just a single goal. BVB have only ever failed to score on one occasion when hosting TSG - a 0-0 draw on 28 February 2009. In all the 23 competitive matches played between the two sides, there have been a total of eight red cards and eight goals from free-kicks (with four for each team in both cases). 

Statistics: The Black and Yellows have found the back of the opposition net in their last 18 Bundesliga matches. Werder Bremen are the only side to have managed to put together a longer active scoring run (21 matches). Hoffenheim have taken a 1-0 lead in 14 matches so far this season, but have only managed to convert this into a win on seven occasions. In total, they've conceded 14 goals after taking the lead. TSG have recorded more draws in the league than any other side. They've drawn eight matches, with seven of their last nine ending with the points being shared. 

Biggest home win: BVB have run out 3-1 winners on three occasions, most recently on 28 February 2016. The guests took a 1-0 lead thanks to a goal from Rudy in the 25th minute, but BVB managed to turn the game on its head in the closing stages with goals from Mkhitaryan (80), Ramos (85) and Aubameyang (90).

Spectators: SIGNAL IDUNA PARK is completely sold out, with a full capacity of 81,365. Among them are 1,400 away fans representing the team from the Kraichgau.

Referee: The DFB will announce the match referee on Thursday afternoon.
Compiled by Boris Rupert