Getting back into action after the international break, Hertha BSC aims to make up ground in the second division standings. Facing Hannover 96 on Friday (18:30/Sky), the hosts are in fourth place, while Hertha sits in twelfth, five points behind.
Both teams boast impressive offensive statistics. Hannover has 26 goals, tied for the league lead with HSV, while Hertha's tally of 24 goals ranks fourth, shared with St. Pauli and Dusseldorf.
Looking back, Fabian Reese, Hertha's forward, showed his prowess against Hannover in a pre-season game, scoring once and setting up three others in a 5-1 victory for Holstein Kiel.
Their last league meeting in Hannover occurred in Bundesliga 2018-2019, with Hertha emerging victorious 2-0. Pal Dardai, now in his third term as Hertha coach, was in charge during that match.
Penalties have been a hot topic for Hannover, who are at the forefront of receiving spot-kicks in the league. Eight penalties in 13 games, all of which they've converted (six from Cedric Teuchert, twice from Marcel Halstenberg). Hertha matches this accuracy but with fewer chances, taking only three penalties with two successful conversions by Fabian Reese and one from Haris Tabakovic (who missed against Kiel).
In the heart of defense, Hertha shows incredible heading prowess. Marc Oliver Kempf leads the league with 61 header duels won, followed closely by captain Toni Leistner in fifth place with 47. Hannover's Phil Neumann tops his team with 37 successful header duels.
Plan for an action-packed encounter. With high-scoring abilities, inconsistency, and impressive defense, this match is primed for excitement. Both teams are eager to make a statement, and only time will tell who emerges victorious.
