Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
For what is a UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie featuring last season’s runner up, it does look like it could be a very one-sided affair as Barcelona take on Borussia Dortmund this week.
Kick-off date/time: Wednesday 9th April, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Barcelona Preview: Belligerent Blaugrana
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona didn’t overly punish Real Madrid’s defeat to Valencia at the Bernabeu at the weekend but the Blaugrana did extend their lead at the top of La Liga to four points courtesy of a 1-1 draw with in-form Real Betis at the Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys.
The Catalans came through an impressive and exciting Copa del Rey semi-final tie last week as they completed a 5-4 aggregate victory over Atletico Madrid in the cup with Flick’s side relentless and high-scoring throughout the campaign.
Borussia Dortmund Preview: European Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund parted company with Nuri Sahin in January and replaced him with Niko Kovac and the Germans, much like last season, have underwhelmed in the Bundesliga but are looking to put that to one side to go on a deep run into the UEFA Champions League.
They have managed back-to-back victories against Mainz and then Freiburg since returning from the March international break but they do remain outside of the top seven and the European spots ahead of this weekend'
Barcelona Team News: Inigo Martinez a doubt
Pau Cubarsi has been a doubt for Barcelona for a while but he has returned to full fitness, whilst more experienced fellow centre-back Inigo Martinez is now a doubt due to a muscle issue. They do have some key and confirmed absentees, most notably in midfield, including Dani Olmo.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Lopez, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Unavailable: Ter Stegen (Injured), Bernal (Injured), Casado (Injured), Olmo (Injured)
Questionable: Martinez (Injured)
Borussia Dortmund Team News: Gross suspended
Borussia Dortmund head to Catalonia with a few key availability concerns as Germany international Pascal Gross is missing through suspension, whilst Marcel Sabitzer is among those that are sidelined through injury. Niklas Sule is also a doubt for the visitors due to a muscle issue.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Nmecha, Chukwuemeka; Beier, Brandt, Adeyemi; Guirassy
Unavailable: Watjen (Injured), Mane (Injured), Gross (Suspended), Sabitzer (Injured)
Questionable: Sule (Injured)
Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund Prediction
Barcelona have perhaps slowed down in the last week or so having already played four matches since the March international break but they will surely raise their game back to the correct level ahead of the visit of Dortmund. Kovac is a canny coach and Dortmund have some recent strong European pedigree but they have been verging on being categorised as a crisis club throughout the campaign so a comfortable Barca win, especially with home advantage, is to be expected for this first-leg.
Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund Tip: Barcelona to win -1 handicap
