Preview: Wolfsburg vs. Hertha Berlin - prediction, team news, lineups

Wolfsburg entertain Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with the visitors in desperate need of a positive result to move clear of the relegation zone.

The hosts, meanwhile, have a healthy five-point cushion within the Champions League qualification positions in the table, and are now only seven points behind league leaders Bayern Munich.

Match preview

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Indeed, the Wolves extended their unbeaten domestic run to nine matches with a comfortable 3-0 win at Arminia Bielefeld last Saturday, which ironically ensured Hertha remained outside of the bottom three for another weekend.

Yannick Gerhardt has been in serious creative spirit of late, and he continued that in Bielefeld by powering down the right flank before putting a peach of a cross across the box for Renato Steffen to break the deadlock in the 29th minute. Oliver Glasner's side were a little fortunate to remain ahead at the half-time interval, though, with Michel Vlap scuffing the ball wide from an excellent goalscoring opportunity.

Perhaps that missed opportunity helped re-focus Wolfsburg after the break, with Arminia restricted to very few opportunities. They were not helped by their goalkeeper Stefan Ortega parrying what should have been a routine save from Wout Weghorst straight into the path of Steffen, who helped himself to a brace, before Maximilian Arnold wrapped up the three points with a powerful effort from distance.

Glasner will be hopeful that his side can further cement their top-four status - as well as keep their slim title hopes alive - with a similarly routine win against another bottom-half side in the shape of Hertha on Saturday, with an eighth consecutive clean sheet firmly in their sights.

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Indeed, Hertha were perhaps a victim of timing when coming up against RB Leipzig last Sunday, with Julian Nagelsmann's side clearly sensing an opportunity to close the gap on Bayern after the Bavarians' defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt on the previous day.

Moreover, Leipzig had been stung by a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League earlier in the week, with Marcel Sabitzer and Nordi Mukiele both making a schoolboy error each in the build-up to Liverpool's goals.

Ironically, both players were on the scoresheet during their side's 3-0 victory against Hertha, with Sabitzer breaking the deadlock in the 28th minute with a goal of the season contender. The Austrian midfielder picked up the loose ball over 30 metres from goal, sending a powerful, dipping strike up into the air like a missile, before it landed in the top-right corner.

After Matheus Cunha missed Hertha's best chance of the game by tamely striking straight at Peter Gulacsi after the break, a thumping effort from substitute Mukiele and a Willi Orban header saw Hertha fall to yet another defeat. However, there is little doubt that they are playing better under Pal Dardai, with improved results surely around the corner if that continues to be the case.

Wolfsburg Bundesliga form: WWWWDW
Wolfsburg form (all competitions): WWWWDW

Hertha Berlin Bundesliga form: LLLLDL

Team News

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Wolfsburg will be without the suspended John Brooks after the defender picked up his fifth caution of the season against Arminia, with Marin Pongracic likely to take his place alongside Maxence Lacroix.

Otherwise, though, Glasner is likely to continue with the same XI which has performed so well in recent weeks.

Hertha, meanwhile, could travel without Dedryck Boyata, Javairo Dilrosun, Jordan Torunarigha and Marvin Plattenhardt due to injury.

Jhon Cordoba is fit again after recovering from an ankle injury sustained in December, but may have to gain match fitness from the bench.

Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
Casteels; Mbabu, Lacroix, Pongracic, Otavio; Arnold, Schlager; Baku, Gerhardt, Steffen; Weghorst

Hertha Berlin possible starting lineup:
Jarstein; Pekarik, Stark, Alderete, Mittelstadt; Tousart, Khedira, Guendouzi; Lukebakio, Piatek, Cunha

We say: Wolfsburg 2-0 Hertha Berlin

Given Wolfsburg's astonishing defensive record of late, it is difficult to envisage Hertha laying a glove on their opponents on Saturday.

The likes of Weghorst and Steffen are in such good form at the other end that Glasner's side look very good value for a top-four finish this season.