Yahoo Sports Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona – Match preview and team news
Borussia Dortmund take on Barcelona in the Champions League this evening with both teams aiming to edge closer to the knockout rounds.
Sixth and seventh in the standings heading into Wednesday night’s fixtures, a victory for either would be a giant step towards securing a place in the top eight.
Dortmund are without Max Beier and defensive duo Niklas Sule and Waldemar Anton, though Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt could feature.
There’s little change on the injury front for Barcelona with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Andres Christensen the notable absentees. Ronald Araujo is edging closer to a return.
Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona – Match preview and team news
Form
Borussia Dortmund: LWWDD
Dortmund have endured a mixed start to Nuri Sahin’s time in charge with their Bundesliga form plagued by inconsistency. The Germans are sixth in the Bundesliga, 14 points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich, and have conceded 20 goals from 13 games played. A second-round exit in the DFB-Pokal was another setback, though their European form has contrasted domestic struggles.
Sahin’s side have taken 12 points from five games in the Champions League, a run that includes a 7-1 thrashing of Celtic. Only two teams have scored more than their 16 goals. It leaves last season’s runners-up well placed for automatic entry to the Round of 16.
Barcelona: DWLWD
Hansi Flick’s men have lost some of their early-season momentum but remain La Liga’s leaders, for now, and in a strong position to reach the Champions League’s knockout rounds.
In Europe, Barcelona recovered from defeat at Monaco on matchday one to record four straight wins, including a 4-1 humbling of Bayern Munich. Ex-Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski is the competition’s leading scorer (7), whole only the prolific Pole has scored more goals than teammate Raphinha (5). It is a combination that Dortmund will need to keep quiet.
⚽️ | Robert Lewandowski’s ridiculous goal scoring record against Dortmund 🤯 pic.twitter.com/38cCgKW12V
— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) December 11, 2024
Last Meeting
Barcelona 3-1 Borussia Dortmund, Champions League group stage, 27th November 2019
Remarkably, the teams have met just four times previously with two wins for Barcelona and two draws. The most recent encounter saw the Spanish side win 3-1 at the Camp Nou, as Lionel Messi inspirred victory on his 700th Barcelona appearance.
Messi set up the opener for Luis Suarez after 26 minutes, before doubling Barcelona’s lead moments later. Antoine Griezmann sweet hit added a third for the home side, with Jadon Sancho’s response for Dortmund little consolation.
Predicted Lineups
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Ryerson, Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Sabitzer, Nmecha, Gross; Malen, Guirassy, Gittens
Barcelona: Inaki Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Who is the referee?
François Letexier (France)
What channel will Dortmund vs Barcelona be on?
The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 4.
What time is kick-off?
8pm kick-off GMT.
Odds
Dortmund – 21/10
Draw – 3/1
Barcelona – 21/20
Read – A brilliant XI of players whose contracts expire in 2025
See more – Iconic Performances: Lewandowski’s four-goal destruction of Real Madrid
