Borussia Dortmund vs Wolfsburg Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Following a breathless draw in Turin midweek, Borussia Dortmund will need to tighten up defensively against Wolfsburg if they are to secure a third Bundesliga win of the season.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime Video / US – ESPN+
Borussia Dortmund preview: Back to business domestically
Borussia Dortmund were burned late on by Juventus in the Champions League midweek, blowing a 2-4 lead in injury time to draw 4-4. It was unacceptable for the German giants to let such an advantage slip and a golden chance to begin their league phase campaign with an important three points on the road.
In the Bundesliga, it’s been fairly successful so far, with two wins and a draw to begin the campaign. Since dropping points against St. Pauli, Dortmund have recorded back-to-back wins, beating both Union Berlin and Heidenheim without conceding a goal.
Wolfsburg preview: One of three unbeaten
Alongside table toppers Bayern Munich and their opponents here, Wolfsburg are one of just three clubs still yet to be defeated ahead of kick-off at Signal Iduna Park. A thrilling 3-3 draw with FC Cologne last time out made it consecutive draws for Paul Simonis’ side since their win over Heidenheim.
All the action against FC Cologne came late on in a scarcely believable period of second half stoppage time. After Cologne had equalised, Wolfsburg looked to have won it in the 99th minute before Cologne once again drew level in what was the 14th minute of added time.
Borussia Dortmund team news: Defensive shortage remains
Borussia Dortmund remain light on centre-backs with the injured Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Sule and Emre Can all still unavailable to Niko Kovac. Jobe Bellingham could start ahead of Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Gross in midfield.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Bensebaini; Couto, Nmecha, Bellingham, Svensson; Adeyemi, Guirassy, Beier
Unavailable: Can (Injured), Duranville (Injured), Schlotterbeck (Injured), Silva (Injured), Sule (Injured)
Questionable: Anselmino (Injured)
Wolfsburg team news: Four out for visitors
Midfielder Jesper Lindstrom and winger Kevin Paredes both won’t feature Dortmund for Wolfsburg, as is the case with centre-back Denis Vavro and full-back Rogerio. The quartet are all sidelined through injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Grabara; Fischer, Jenz, Koulierakis, Maehle; Arnold, Vinicius; Skov Olsen, Majer, Wimmer; Amoura
Unavailable: Lindstrom (Injured), Paredes (Injured), Rogerio (Injured), Vavro (Injured)
Questionable:
Borussia Dortmund vs Wolfsburg prediction
Borussia Dortmund have started well this season but cannot take their foot off the gas with Bayern Munich continuing to score goals and win games for fun. Niko Kovac has installed a high level of defensive steel, which deserves credit when taking into account the injured players he still has yet to come back into the squad.
Wolfsburg may be yet to lose in the league this season, but are yet to face a challenge as tough at this. They average just under two goals conceded per game and are without a clean sheet, which doesn’t bode well against a side of Dortmund’s quality. With home advantage in their favour, backing three points for the men in yellow has to be favoured.
Borussia Dortmund vs Wolfsburg tip: Borussia Dortmund to win
