St. Pauli vs Borussia Dortmund Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Sarwar ·
Updated
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After successfully staying in the Bundesliga in their first season back in the top flight, St. Pauli now aim to kick on in 2025-26, but have been handed a tough start against Borussia Dortmund.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – ESPN+
St. Pauli preview: Blessin’s boys back in action
After the departure of head coach Fabian Hurzeler to Premier League side Brighton, many were worried about whether 2. Bundesliga champions St. Pauli would survive in the top tier of German football. Adapting to the step up in quality was difficult, but under the command of Alexander Blessin, St. Pauli fought for every point and successfully stayed up, delighting their magnificent support in the process.
Once again, making the Millerntor-Stadion a fortress will be key to St. Pauli’s success in 2025-26, which is something that Blessin and the players won’t have to worry about with the St. Pauli fans set to create a raucous atmosphere once again for every home fixture. That starts right here against another club in Borussia Dortmund with incredible support.
Borussia Dortmund preview: Late revival saves season
Borussia Dortmund were on the verge of Bundesliga disaster in 2024-25, marooned in mid-table when the decision was made to fire head coach Nuri Sahin in January. Niko Kovac was appointed and the Croatian successfully led a recovery mission and excellent run of results which saw Dortmund shoot back up the table and finish in fourth-place, securing Champions League football.
Kovac’s next mission is to lead a sustained title challenge this season and match Bayern Munich. Whilst winger Jamie Gittens has left the club, there are still plenty of quality players among their ranks, including star striker Serhou Guirassy. The Guinean’s goals will be crucial to Dortmund’s hopes in all competitions moving forward.
St. Pauli team news: Irvine out on contention
Australian Jackson Irvine misses out in the middle of the part for St. Pauli as he fails to recover from a foot injury. Also out injured are David Nemeth and new signing Ricky-Jade-Jones.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Vasilj; Wahl, Smith, Ritzka; Pyrka, Metcalde, Fujita, Oppie; Sinani; Hountondji, Pereira Lage
Unavailable: Irvine (Injured), Jones (Injured), Nemeth (Injured)
Questionable:
Borussia Dortmund team news: Lack of defenders an issue
Injuries to the likes of Can, Schlotterbeck and Sule leaves Dortmund dangerous short in the centre-back position ahead of this match with a lot of pressure on Waldimir Anton.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Kobel; Mane, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Nmecha, Sabitzer, Bellingham, Svensson; Guirassy, Adeyemi
Unavailable: Can (Injured), Duranville (Injured), Schlotterbeck (injured), Sule (Injured)
Questionable: Couto (Injured), Ryerson (Injured)
St. Pauli vs Borussia Dortmund prediction
This is a highly anticipated fixture between two great old clubs, played amid a cauldron of noise. Lots of charged-up energy should lead to a fast start from both sets of players, each desperate to set the tone early on. With Guirassy up top, Dortmund’s attacking threat will be constant, whilst St. Pauli pose a huge challenge for the visitors on the counter-attack with significant pace available to Blessin.
Whilst Borussia Dortmund are expected to overwhelm the St. Pauli backline at some point across the 90 minutes, the home side will get opportunities of their own, whether they be from set pieces or countering Dortmund. With that in mind, backing both teams to score may prove a shrewd move.
St. Pauli vs Borussia Dortmund tip: Both teams to score
