Borussia Dortmund vs Stuttgart Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Third meets fourth in the standout Bundesliga fixture of the weekend which sees Borussia Dortmund host Stuttgart.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN+
Borussia Dortmund preview: Home advantage crucial
Borussia Dortmund will want to make full use of having the famous yellow wall behind them for this crucial fixture which they can’t afford not to win as they desperately try to keep league leaders Bayern Munich within reach.
The gap between the two clubs is currently seven points, but Dortmund sit level on 21 points with their opponents here, further underlining the importance of this particular contest. Expect Niko Kovac’s men to come out of the traps at breakneck speed.
Stuttgart preview: Four wins from five
Stuttgart’s form over the past month or so cannot be ignored and they come into this encounter having picked up 12 points from the last 15 available to them. They ended their most recent run of games with a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Augsburg, scoring the winner with ten minutes left to play.
As of now, Stuttgart remains inside the Champions League but that is likely to change with a bad result here so just like their opponents, the pressure firmly on for Stuttgart. They’ve conceded five more goals than Dortmund in the league so far this season.
Borussia Dortmund team news: Eyes on the back
With Ramy Bensebaini a doubt for Borussia Dortmund and facing a late fitness test, that could pave the way for fit again captain Emre Can to start for the home team, especially as Sule is out with a toe injury.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Kobel; Anton, Can, Schlotterbeck; Couto, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson; Brandt, Guirassy, Beier
Unavailable: Duranville (Injured), Sule (Injured)
Questionable: Bensebaini (Injured)
Stuttgart team news: Demirovic missing
Stuttgart are without Demirovic up top, so expect Undav to start as the lone striker with three attacking players behind. Jamie Leweling is expected to be one of those players, whilst Chris Fuhrich will also be hoping for a start.
Predicted XI: (4-2-3-1): Nubel; Assignon, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Karazor, Stiller; Leweling, Furich, Bouanani; Undav,
Unavailable: Demirovic (Injured), Diehl (Injured), Keitel (Injured)
Questionable: Drljaca (Injured), Hendriks (Injured)
Borussia Dortmund vs Stuttgart prediction
Neither team will likely be happy with a draw from this game. Borussia Dortmund are at home and the onus is on them to force the issue, whilst Stuttgart won’t be afraid of the challenge they face and are capable of beating anyone under the command of head coach Sebastian Hoeness, especially when considering the offensive style of play related to Hoeness and his side.
Whilst it’s unlikely that a defensive fragile Stuttgart can keep the home side out for long, Borussia Dortmund will need to be extremely wary themselves with the likes of Undav capable of doing serious damage against the Dortmund backline. This has all the makings of a goal-fest, so it’s worth backing over 2.5 of them along with both teams find the net.
Borussia Dortmund vs Stuttgart tip: Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score
