Borussia Dortmund have not been beaten at home in the Bundesliga for the last year and a half. The Black and Yellows scored 61 times across those 22 games at the Signal Iduna Park, an average of almost three goals a game. But watch out: their opposition managed to remain in the division last season thanks to their ability to pick up points on the road.

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Last season, BVB (here with Adrian Ramos) took four points from SVD.

How things stand: Eighth against twelfth. Both teams have begun the season with a victory at home and a defeat away.

Home and Away: Across seasons, Borussia have won five of their last six home games, have not been beaten in 22 games at the Signal Iduna park and have only failed to score in one match during this time period (the 0-0 against Bayern Munich in March). Darmstadt successfully avoided relegation last season thanks to their strength on the road, collecting 26 of their 38 points in away games (seven wins, five draws, five losses, coming fourth in the away game table 2015/2016).

Personnel: Reus (rehabilitation training), Bender (ankle), Turm (knee operation) and Subotic (chest operation) are missing, while Schürrle (ligament strain) is doubtful. Darmstadt must do without Obinna and Platte, are pessimistic about Gondorf, and hope that Sulu can play.

Head to Head: BVB have scored at least twice in six of their seven competitive matches played against the Lilies, only failing to do this in a goalless draw against them in 1979. Borussia have lost none of their four games played against Darmstadt when at home (two wins, two draws), though their league home record could be better (one victory, two draws). Darmstadt have failed to score against Dortmund in every second game they have played against them.

The Stats: Borussia Dortmund have only won one of their last four league games spanning across this season and the last (the 2-1 against Mainz), but have lost none of their last 13 games in which they took the lead. Their last defeat after going 1-0 up occurred on 19 December 2015 away at Cologne.

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New referee: Benjamin Brand

Best Home Win: On 17 October 1981, BVB celebrated a 4-0 victory over SV Darmstadt 98, their best win of the 81/82 season. All of the goals were scored in the second half: Rolf Rüssman found the back of the net first in the 49' minute to take the game to 1-0, whereafter Manfred Burgsmüller scored the second and third goals of the game in the 61' minute and the 72' minute. Rüdiger Abramczik finished things off with the fourth goal seven minutes before time.

Referee: Benjamin Brand from Unterspiesheim in Bayern will officiate a BVB game for the first time. He has served as a referee in the Bundesliga for one year.

Attendance: The last 96 tickets will be available at the away ticket stand from 13:00 CET next to the North Stand.

Compiled by Boris Rupert