Borussia Dortmund vs. Hannover: Key Issues That Will Shape Bundesliga Game

Borussia Dortmund have got the job done in the Champions League. Now they must turn their attention back to the Bundesliga with a home tie against Hannover on Saturday.

At least, that’s how Jurgen Klopp will likely see it as his side continue to juggle expectations on multiple fronts this season.

One man who will be hoping to halt any return to form for Dortmund is Hannover coach Tayfun Korkut, whose own side have lost their last three games.

Here are a few key points to consider before the Bundesliga clash.

Dortmund Must Reconquer the Westfalenstadion

MARTIN MEISSNER/Associated Press

Dortmund’s league form has been dreadful this season as a whole, but Klopp will be adamant that his side at least make themselves formidable once again in front of their own fans.

At the Westfalenstadion this season, they failed to capitalise on Stuttgart’s visit with a 2-2 draw, and they failed to pick up a single point at all against Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg.

If Dortmund wants to get back up the league table, they will have to start at home in front of their famous yellow wall. 

Hannover's Dreadful Away Form

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

One thing that will go in Dortmund’s favour is the shocking record Hannover have amassed on the road in the Bundesliga this season.

Despite picking up an encouraging draw away to Mainz in their first away tie of the campaign, Korkut’s side have since lost on the road to relegation favourites Paderborn, as well as Stuttgart and Bayern Munich.

This should leave them with little hope as they travel to the Westfalenstadion. 

Dortmund's Terrible Post-Champions League Record

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Perhaps the greatest danger to Dortmund’s chances on Saturday is their horrendous form straight after a Champions League week.

Fans of Klopp’s side will remember their team struggling away to Mainz after their 2-0 win over Arsenal and their home defeat to Hamburg after an impressive away result in Belgium against Anderlecht.

Having taken nine points from nine with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Galatasaray this week, they’ll have to be very wary of dropping points at home to Hannover this weekend. 

Hannover's Poor Record vs. Dortmund

Markus Schreiber/Associated Press

Taking current form and league expectations for the season out of the equation, Dortmund should still be considered favourites for this regular tie.

Historically, the Lower Saxony side have struggled to match Dortmund in the Bundesliga, which is clear when we take a look at their head-to-head record.

According to Soccerbase’s records, Dortmund have only lost one of their last 12 league meetings, with Klopp’s side winning each of the last four showdowns in all competitions. 

Klopp Must Take Advantage of Returning Stars

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Dortmund fans will be in a feverish mood ahead of this weekend’s game after an impressive midweek performance in Europe.

It wasn’t just the result that brought a much-needed smile to fans, though. It was the players who brought it about.

Marco Reus, Ilkay Gundogan and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were all welcomed back and made an instant difference, which is something their coach and fans alike will expect to see more of this weekend.