Verdict: Both teams to score in the second-half
Best Odds: 29/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Desperately seeking some recent stability, Barcelona will travel to rural Germany on Wednesday night when they meet Borussia Dortmund.
Borussia Dortmund
Starting with the hosts, suffering a collapse away at Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 draw, Borussia Dortmund have drastically struggled to find any kind of domestic stability this season. Nevertheless, while there might still be plenty of pressure on Nuri Sahin’s shoulders in rural Germany, BVB have continued to impress with their performances on the continent. Last seen in Champions League action cruising their way to a routine 3-0 victory against Dinamo Zagreb, the one-time Liverpool midfielder has seen his squad put 12 points on the board from their first five European appearances. Getting their Champions League adventure underway on September 18th with another 3-0 romp against Club Brugge, Dortmund have also enjoyed a real free-scoring flurry in the final third. In fact, Sahin’s men have notched 16 goals in their opening five European showdowns.
Borussia Dortmund Team News
Still dealing with a long-term thigh injury and not making a single appearance since the start of October, attacking talisman Karim Adeyemi remains on the sidelines. Missing out away at Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend, Germany international Julian Brandt is once again seen as a major doubt.
Already notching four goals in his first five Champions League appearances, summer recruit and ex-Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy will lead the line in rural Germany. Former Brighton playmaker Pascal Gross will start in the middle of the park on Wednesday night.
Barcelona
As for the visitors, while Barcelona might have come flying out of the traps following Hansi Flick’s arrival over the summer, the Spanish icons are seeking some recent stability. Suffering last-gasp heartbreak away at Real Betis over the weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate against Real Betis, the former Bayern Munich boss has seen his squad win just a pair of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Sining off November with a shock 2-1 defeat at home against Las Palmas, Wednesday’s guests are also know the importance of finding some defensive steel. Despite being last seen in Champions League action storming their way to a routine 3-0 win against French outfit Brest, that is the only clean sheet that Barcelona have recorded from any of their previous eight outings across all competitions.
Barcelona Team News
Undergoing knee surgery back in September, Barcelona have confirmed that German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will not feature over the remainder of the season. Likewise, former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen remains on the sidelines with an Achilles tendon injury.
Finding the net away at Real Betis over the weekend and recording a 16th La Liga strike of the season, Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski will lead the line on his return to Germany. Returning from a minor knock last month, 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal will partner Lewandowski in the final third.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona last met back in November 2019, the Spanish giants collected a 3-1 victory in Catalonia.
- Both Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona have recorded 12 points from their first five Champions League appearances.
- Barca have won just a pair of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
- Borussia Dortmund have recorded 16 goals in their first five Champions League showdowns.
- Four of Barcelona’s last five showdowns outside of Catalonia have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Two camps who are enjoying their own respective Champions League romps, we could be treated to a real thriller from rural Germany on Wednesday night. With Barcelona showing some recent inconsistencies and winning just a pair of their previous six appearances across all competitions, chances could come thick and fast in midweek. With both sides recording a combined tally of 34 goals goals from their first five Champions League showdowns, all signs are pointing to a real European thriller here.
Verdict: Both teams to score in the second-half
Best Odds: 29/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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