Prediction: Borussia Dortmund vs Lazio

Verdict: Borussia Dortmund win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet

Desperate to make an immediate return to winning ways, Borussia Dortmund will turn their attention back to Champions League duties when they host Lazio on Wednesday night.

Borussia Dortmund

Starting with the hosts, while Borussia Dortmund really appeared to be enjoying life after returning from November’s international break, the German giants are seeking a real bounce after a sluggish display over the weekend. Slumping back down to fourth in the Bundesliga table, Lucien Farve’s men were hit with a shock 2-1 defeat at home against a struggling Koln on Saturday afternoon. While BVB might have continued to show their own issues at the back, they have managed to impress while on Champions League duties since opening the 2020/2021 campaign. Despite opening their European adventure with that 3-1 hammering away at Lazio back in October, Dortmund have gone on quite the Champions League march since then. Last seen on Group F duties at home against Club Brugge last week, Farve’s youngsters landed a 3-0 romp and they open Wednesday’s fixtures holding a one point buffer at the top of the table.

Team News

Aside from both Reinier Jesus Carvalho and Marcel Schmelzer who will once again be missing in midweek, Borussia Dortmund have a full squad to choose from.

Lazio

As for the visitors, also putting in what was a hugely disappointing performance over the weekend, Lazio were hit with a shock 3-1 drumming against Udinese on home soil and they are seeking a much-needed bounce. Finding themselves sat all the way down in ninth in Serie A and in an uphill battle to replicate their famous campaign during last year’s interrupted season, the Eagles have managed to win just a trio of their last seven matchups across all competitions. However, while Head Coach Simone Inzaghi might have seen his side land a 3-1 win against Russian giants Zenit on Group F duties last week, they will know that they face a stern test in midweek. If the Italians are to cause an upset on Wednesday and find a route to the top of the table, they will be calling on the red-hot Ciro Immobile to lead their charge. Bagging the consolation strike against Udinese over the weekend, the former BVB striker has now recorded seven goals in his last six contests.

Team News

Lazio will be unable to call upon both Luiz Felipe and Vedat Muriqi when they travel to rural Germany on Wednesday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides face off out in Italy back in October, Lazio picked up a shock 3-1 victory.
• Ciro Immobile has found the net in his last six appearances on the bounce, recording seven goals.
• Likewise, BVB striker Erling Braut Haaland has already recorded 23 goals for club and country so far this season.
• Borussia Dortmund have won each of their last three Champions League matchups on the bounce by an aggregate score of 8-0.
• Eight of Lazio’s last nine matchups across all formats have seen both teams find the net by the final whistle.

Conclusion

While Lazio might have managed to land themselves that shock 3-1 win when they hosted Dortmund back in October, there is no doubt that the Italians face a stern test in rural Germany this week. With Lucien Farve’s men looking to make an immediate return to winning ways after their shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Koln over the weekend, BVB should have too much firepower for a Lazio side who have struggled to find their best form. Having to settle for back-to-back lackluster stalemates against Club Brugge and Zenit in their two Champions League contests on foreign soil, we’re backing a home victory for Dortmund in midweek.

Verdict: Borussia Dortmund win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet