Borussia Dortmund have been unable to name Marco Reus in their squad for the meeting with Hoffenheim at the Rhein-Neckar Arena.
A muscular injury forces Reus to watch his side go in search of a win they need to boost their bid for Europa League qualification, while Roman Weidenfeller is absent again due to a back problem.
Lukasz Piszczek returns from injury to earn a spot on the bench, while there are starts for Shinji Kagawa, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Sebastian Kehl.
Despite scoring the winner against Hannover last weekend, Sven Schipplock is named among the substitutes once again as Anthony Modeste and Adam Szalai keep their places.
There is also a boost for the hosts as Kevin Volland returns to the side to add another threat in attack.
Hoffenheim: Baumann, Beck, Abraham, Bicakcic, Toljan, Schwegler, Polanski, Volland, Firmino, Szalai, Modeste
Dortmund: Langerak, Durm, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer, Kehl, Gundogan, Blaszczykowski, Kagawa, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang
Callum Mulvihill
