2. Bundesliga Topspiel preview: Hannover 96 vs Hertha BSC | OneFootball

Hannover 96

Christian Titz’s side needs little introduction. They have set the league alight so far, sitting top of the table with four wins from four - the only side still boasting a perfect record. A sold-out home crowd awaits on Saturday, with fans sensing blood as an injury-hit Hertha come to town.

Last time out, Hannover impressed with a 2-1 away victory over Holstein Kiel, as Benjamin Källman netted his third goal in four games. During the international break, they added a confidence-boosting 3-1 friendly win against Bundesliga outfit Hamburger SV - a valuable measuring stick of their current strength.

As many good teams do, Hannover were proactive in looking for ways to further improve their squad as the transfer deadline loomed - bringing in defender William Kokolo from Stade Lavallois. The Frenchman featured in the friendly against HSV and caught the eye with a solid debut display.

Speaking ahead of the game, Christian Titz is relishing the prospect of returning home for the first time since August 23rd: “Overall, I'm looking forward to the game. I'm glad we can continue playing after the international break. In the evening, at home, under floodlights, in a sold-out crowd - that naturally gives the whole thing a very special atmosphere.”

While the head-to-head record is finely balanced - four consecutive draws - Hannover will lean on their formidable home form, having lost only twice in the league at home since the end of January.

Team news:

There are no fresh injury concerns for Hannover, as Titz has confirmed all the internationals returned back unscathed. Waniss Taïbi, who missed the friendly against HSV is fit again and available for selection.

Hertha BSC

Alarm bells are already ringing in the capital. Hertha are one of only two teams still without a league win (alongside Nürnberg), sitting 17th with just two points from four games. For a side tipped for promotion over the summer, few expected Stefan Leitl’s position to come under scrutiny so early.

Their most recent league outing brought a damaging 2-0 home defeat to SV Elversberg - on Leitl’s birthday, no less. Hertha looked second best from start to finish, lacking ideas in attack and visibly frustrated, a setback that undid the momentum gained from a brighter showing against Darmstadt the week before.

Supporters have grown frustrated as rival clubs strengthened late in the transfer window while Hertha stood still. With a squad ravaged by injuries and short on depth in key areas, they already risk falling adrift from the promotion contenders.

Leitl has called for unity and intensity ahead of Saturday’s challenge: “…that we perform as a united team, that we perform better as a team, and above all, that we perform with a different energy level - if we can do that, we're a good team. And then we’ll score points."

The trip to Hannover could prove decisive for Hertha’s season. With Leitl facing his former club and the league leaders under the floodlights, this is the kind of fixture that demands a response. If his players cannot rise to the occasion, the pressure on the head coach may become unbearable.

Team news:

Hertha remain severely depleted, with nine absentees: Pascal Klemens, Niklas Kolbe, Diego Demme, Michał Karbownik, Paul Seguin, Marius Gersbeck, Jay Brooks, and Tim Goller are all sidelined, while Linus Gechter begins a suspension.

There is some good news, however - striker Dawid Kownacki, a late withdrawal last time out, is expected to return.

Predicted lineups

Hannover 96 (3-4-2-1): Noll (GK) - Okon, Tomiak, Ghiță - Matsuda, Aséko Nkili, Leopold, Neubauer - Bundu, Rochelt - Pichler

Hertha BSC (4-2-3-1): Ernst (GK) - Eitschberger, Leistner, Dardai, Zeefuik - Jensen, Cuisance - Winkler, Krattenmacher, Reese - Kownacki