Dortmund have been a tough team to beat this season. Undefeated in the Bundesliga with five wins and three draws from eight matches, and last weekend, picking up a point at Bayern with a late Fabio Silva goal. They followed up with a 2-1 midweek win over Real Betis. They should be in a great position at Signal Iduna Park against a first-season Bundesliga Elversberg side.

Kovac is short of players, with Serhou Guirassy having been substituted against Betis. He could be a doubt, and Silva is likely to lead the line. They are missing Emre Can, Justin Lerma, and Giannis Konstantelias. Yet there is enough quality in the ranks with Jobe Bellingham, Maximilian Beier, Felix Nmecha, and Nico Schlotterback to make Dortmund remain strong.

Seventh placed Elversberg may look the part in terms of position, but their statistics suggest a much weaker away side. 16 goals scored and 16 conceded in eight games. Just one clean sheet. With just one win in four away matches, a 4-3 win at Gladbach. They are short at the back with Jan Gyamerah, Luis Seifert, Tom Zimmerschied all out. Doubt over Lukas Pinckert.

Expect Dortmund to use pace and press to take the home win.