Prediction: Borussia Monchengladbach vs Borussia Dortmund

Verdict: Both teams to score in the second-half

Best Odds: 13/8

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to cause what would be a mild upset on Friday night, a resurging Borussia Monchengladbach will host Borussia Dortmund when this weekend’s Bundesliga fixtures open up.

Borussia Monchengladbach

Starting with the hosts, while Borussia Monchengladbach might have found themselves enduring a hugely worrying run of form when heading into the festive break, Marco Rose’s side are certainly enjoying a recent resurge. Managing to pick up what was a deserved 1-0 win at home against Werder Bremen in midweek, Die Fohlen will undoubtedly be boosted by that famous meeting against the defending champions earlier in the month. Once again firmly mixing it back in the European chase, Gladbach shocked many across Germany as they came from 2-0 down to snatch all three points against Bayern Munich on January 8th. A side that appears to have really refound their stability after booking their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League, it could be worth keeping an eye out for leading marksman Lars Stindl on Friday night. Including a hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt last month, the 28-year-old has six goals in his last seven matchups across all formats.

Team News

Friday’s hosts will once again be without the trio of Breel Embolo, Marcus Thuram and Valentino Lazaro this week.

Borussia Dortmund

As for the visitors, while Borussia Dortmund might have thought that they had found their feet after turning to interim boss Edin Terzić last month, the German giants came crashing back down to earth in midweek. Now only just about managing to hang onto their spot in the top-four, BVB have gained a real reputation for their extended inconsistencies. Slumping to a 2-1 defeat against fellow European chasers Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night, the one-time West Ham coach also saw his temporary squad have to settle for a sluggish 1-1 draw against relegation scrappers Mainz last weekend. Desperate to refind a similar level that saw them claim back-to-back victories against Wolfsburg and RB Leipzig earlier in the month, Dortmund should at least be boosted by their eye-catching record against Friday’s hosts. Including a 3-0 romp when they last faced off against Gladbach back in September, Terzić’s side have remarkably won each of their last 12 straight meetings against Die Fohlen.

Team News

After serving a one-game suspension, Borussia Dortmund will welcome back midfielder Emre Can at Borussia-Park.

However, the quartet of Dan-Axel Zagadou, Axel Witsel, Thorgan Hazard and Marcel Schmelzer will once again miss out on Friday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 3-0 win when the two sides last faced off back in September, Borussia Dortmund have won each of their last 12 straight meetings against Friday’s hosts.
• However, BVB have managed to collect just a single Bundesliga point from back-to-back top-flight matchups over the past week.
• Including that shock 3-2 win against Bayern Munich earlier in the month, Borussia Monchengladbach have collected 10 points from their last four Bundesliga contests.
• Gladbach’s Lars Stindl has six goals in his last seven matchups across all formats.
• Likewise, Erling Braut Haaland has recorded 25 goals across all competitions.

Conclusion

While Borussia Dortmund might hold what is a stunning record against Friday’s hosts, there is no doubt that BVB should face a stern test this weekend. Suffering a 2-1 loss against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek and still showing a string of issues at the back, Gladbach should be smelling a chance to make a real statement on home soil. Appearing to be enjoying a hugely impressive resurge and still boosted by that famous 3-2 turnaround victory against defending champions Bayern Munich earlier in the month, we could have a lively showdown at Borussia-Park on Friday night. In a contest that famously produces high-scoring encounters, don’t be surprised to see a similar outcome this week.

Verdict: Both teams to score in the second-half

Best Odds: 13/8

Bookmaker: Unibet