Hertha out to sustain European push against Ingolstadt

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In the driving seat to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 1999/2000 season, Hertha Berlin face a tough test when FC Ingolstadt 04 visit the Olympiastadion on Saturday (kick-off: 15:30CET/14:30GMT).

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Pal Dardai has done a remarkable job in leading Hertha into the top three, and the capital-city club strengthened their claim to be playing at Europe’s top table next season by beating FC Schalke 04 on home turf last time out.

Watch: Hertha 2–0 Schalke - match highlights

That said, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s Ingolstadt have a never-say-die attitude matched by few sides in the top-flight and come into this one on the back of the club’s longest-ever unbeaten run in the Bundesliga following a thrilling 3-3 draw with VfB Stuttgart last time out.

Watch: Ingolstadt 3-3 Stuttgart – match highlights

History

Matchday 10 rewind: Ingolstadt 0-1 Hertha

Matchday 27 - match stats

    Every time Hertha Berlin have played in the same division as Ingolstadt, the Berliners have ended the season as champions.For only the fourth time ever, Hertha are in the top three after Matchday 26.Pal Dardai’s side are unbeaten in the last eight games at the Olympiastadion.Hertha striker Vedad Ibisevic has scored against 17 of the 18 current Bundesliga clubs - Ingolstadt being the exception.Vladimir Darida has averaged over 13 kilometres per game this season.Coming into this one, Ingolstadt are unbeaten in five consecutive games for the first time in the club’s Bundesliga history.That said, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side have drawn the last four games in succession. The top-flight record was set by Mannheim, who drew eight consecutive games in 1984/85.

Possible line-ups

Hertha: Jarstein – Weiser, Stark, Brooks, Plattenhardt – Skjelbred, Cigerci – Haraguchi, Darida, Kalou – Ibisevic

Absentees: Allagui (light training)

Ingolstadt: Özcan - da Costa, Matip, Bregerie, Bauer - Cohan, Roger, Christiansen - Hartmann, Lezcano, Leckie

Absentees: Hübner (suspended), Levels (ankle), Danielo Soares (foot)

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