The Volkswagen Arena will be the venue of choice for the clash between the two teams on Tuesday, November 8th, at 1730hrs GMT.
Wolfsburg come into this match having lost only once at home this season. The hosts have kept 2 clean sheets and scored 7 goals in their last two games. While they languish in the bottom half of the table, this is the perfect time for a clash with a top team with confidence brimming through the camp.
Borussia Dortmund’s home form has been excellent, with 5 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss this season. However, their away form has placed them in a weak position to challenge for the league title. So far, they have won 3 and lost 3 matches on the road.
This will be an exciting fixture, with both teams having something to prove.
Key Highlights
Wolfsburg Setpiece Strength
With 30% of their goals coming from set pieces this term, the hosts will be looking to convert chances from corners and freekicks. The hosts will not have an easy time scoring from set pieces despite their reliance on them this season. Dortmund have conceded only 2 goals from set pieces. Expect the hosts to try anyway, given that they will be facing a squad comfortable staying on the ball. The limited opportunities available will be from set pieces, and Wolfsburg hope they can convert some of them.
The Moukoko-Bellingham X-Factors
After the departure of Erling Haaland to Manchester City over the summer, the question of whether Dortmund would get to replace his contributions lingered in many minds. While he has not delivered to the Haaland levels, Moukoko has been instrumental in keeping his team in contention for the league title. With 6 goals and 3 assists this season, he is the x-factor that will sway the match in his team’s favour if he puts in a good shift.
On his part, Jude Bellingham has been a revelation this season. He tops the scoring charts for Dortmund with 7 goals and 2 assists while playing in central midfield. His ability to control matches and dictate the tempo while getting in on the attacking action has lifted his team in many matches this season. Wolfsburg will look to keep him quiet to ensure chance creation on the visitor’s side is minimized.
Injury Report
The hosts only have 3 players missing the action: Kevin Paredes (calf), Maximilian Kruse (hip), and Bartol Franjic (calf).
On their part, Dortmund are missing 8 players: Nico Schulz & Sebastian Haller for personal reasons, Mahmoud Dahoud and Jamie Bynoe Gittens with shoulder injuries, Marius Wolf with a virus, Tom Rothe with a knee injury, Thomas Meunier with a head injury, and Mateu More with a torn ACL.
Possible Lineups
Wolfsburg
K. Casteels, S. Bornauw, M. Van de Ven, R. Baku, P. Otavio, M. Arnold, F. Nmecha, J. Kaminski, P. Wimmer, Y. Gerhardt, L. Nmecha.
Borussia Dortmund
G. Kobel, N. Schlotterbeck, M. Hummels, R. Guerreiro, N. Sule, J. Bellingham, S. Ozcan, J. Brandt, D. Malen, G. Reyna, Y. Moukoko.
Prediction
Despite their league position, Wolfsburg will put in a great shift and hope to extend Dortmund’s unlucky outings away from home. Expect the home side to focus on orchestrating set-piece plays to lean on their strengths.
The away side will set out to control the midfield and dictate the game’s tempo. Wolfsburg will try to close down key midfield players, especially Jude Bellingham. This will be a decent game for neutrals to watch, with Dortmund emerging as winners with a narrow margin.
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