2. Bundesliga Topspiel preview: 1. FC Kaiserslautern vs. Hertha BSC | OneFootball

1. FC Kaiserslautern

Kaiserslautern have made a strong start to the season, sitting sixth in the table and just three points off the promotion playoff places in what has been a tightly contested top half. Torsten Lieberknecht’s men are in impressive form, having lost only once in their last eight league matches.

Their most recent outing ended in a hard-fought but frustrating 1-1 draw away to Düsseldorf. FCK controlled large spells and created plenty of chances, but a late Sima Suso equaliser denied them all three points.

Despite that setback, Kaiserslautern have looked sharp in attack, netting 18 goals across their last eight games and 20 overall - the third-best tally in the league. Their home form has also been formidable, going unbeaten in all five league games at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion so far, winning four. ‘Betze’ appears to have become a fortress once again.

Lieberknecht has called for his side to carry on their fine attacking form: 

“We want to play Betze football - the fans recognize it. That there's a team on the pitch that gives their all and also knows where the goal is. We're the third-best team in terms of goals scored. We play a high and aggressive pressing game."

Team news: 

Simon Asta and Kenny Prince Redondo are unavailable for Kaiserslautern. 

Hertha BSC

Hertha come into the game in good form themselves, with just one defeat in their last five league matches, a run that has lifted them to eighth place - six points off the top three. It marks a steady recovery from their rocky start, during which Stefan Leitl’s position came under pressure.

Last weekend, Die Alte Dame claimed a convincing 2-0 home win over Dynamo Dresden in front of a near sell-out crowd - their third consecutive home victory - as performances at the Olympiastadion continue to improve after a slow start there.

Hertha’s away record has been solid all season, losing just twice in five trips, and with form now clicking both home and away, the capital club are growing in confidence.

Head coach Leitl shared his excitement ahead of the primetime clash:

“8:30 pm at the Betzenberg, 5,000 fans from Berlin in attendance - that's a highlight, pure football. For us, it's about finding solutions, going into the game, and believing in ourselves. We want to put on a great performance and come home as winners.”

Team news: 

Linus Gechter joins Pascal Klemens, Leon Jensen, and Dawid Kownacki on the sidelines. Deyovaisio Zeefuik is available again after recovering from injury.

H-2-H record

The sides shared the spoils last season, with both teams winning their away fixture. Hertha hold a slight upper hand overall, winning three of the last five encounters to Kaiserslautern’s two.

Torsten Lieberknecht is still searching for his first win against Hertha in four attempts, while he and Stefan Leitl are evenly matched in their personal duels - three wins apiece across six meetings.

Predicted lineups

1. FC Kaiserslautern (3-4-2-1): Krahl (GK); Sirch, Gyamfi, Robinson; Joly, Kunze, Şahin, Haas; Skyttä, Hanslik; Prtajin 

Hertha BSC (4-2-3-1): Ernst (GK); Eitschberger, Leistner, Dardai, Karbownik; Eichhorn, Seguin; Krattenmacher, Cuisance, Reese; Grønning