Preview

UEFA Champions League - Borussia Dortmund VS FC Barcelona Prediction

UEFA Champions League - Borussia Dortmund VS FC Barcelona Prediction
UEFA Champions League - Borussia Dortmund VS FC Barcelona
Match Time:16-04-2025 03:00 Wednesday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips

------------------------------
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund do have a boost heading into this fixture, as Pascal Gross is back after serving a suspension in the first leg. But the hosts do remain without the services of Marcel Sabitzer and Nico Schlotterbeck, who are both out injured.

Niko Kovac has gone ahead with a back three of late, but he might switch to a 4-2-3-1 for this fixture as his team needs to go all-out attack. Gregor Kobel will take charge in goal for Borussia Dortmund against Barcelona, while Julian Ryerson and Ramy Bensebaini will be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, skipper Emre Can should partner with Waldemar Anton.

The back four will look for a clean sheet, and they will receive support from Pascal Gross and Felix Nmecha. Julian Brandt will take up the no.10 role, with Jamie Gittens and Karim Adeyemi featuring on the flanks.

Serhou Guirassy will lead the line for Borussia Dortmund against Barcelona. One of Dortmund’s front four will need to produce something special if they are to have any chance of staying alive in the tie.

Barcelona
Alejandro Balde picked up an injury against Leganes, and he has joined Dani Olmo, Marc Casado, Marc Bernal, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the sidelines. While Olmo is closing in on a return, this fixture might be a touch too early for him.

The visitors will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Wojciech Szczesny will be in goal. Jules Kounde and Gerard Martin could be the full-backs for this one. In the heart of the defence, Ronald Araujo should partner with Inigo Martinez.

As for the midfield unit, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong will form the double pivot in the middle of the park. They will look to shield the backline and control the tempo of the game. Fermin Lopez could continue in the no. 10 role, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha on the flanks. Robert Lewandowski should spearhead the Barcelona attack against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Kobel; Ryerson, Sule, Anton, Bensebaini; Gross, Nmecha; Gittens, Brandt, Adeyemi; Guirassy

Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Martin; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Lopez, Torres; Lewandowski

Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
Barcelona have an excellent record against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League and have won four out of the six matches played between the two teams, with the other two games ending in draws.
Borussia Dortmund have never managed to defeat Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League and could equal their longest winless streak against a single opponent in major European competitions with another failure this week.
Barcelona have won all three matches against opponents from Germany in the UEFA Champions League this season, with two of these victories coming against Borussia Dortmund.
Borussia Dortmund are winless in their last three matches at home against Barcelona in major European competitions, with their previous such game ending in a 3-2 defeat in December last year.

Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Barcelona (Barcelona win 7-2 on aggregate)
How Dortmund approach Tuesday's fixture will be fascinating, as the German giants are practically down and out and have serious work to do in the Bundesliga, but nothing is over until it is over in the Champions League.

Last year's runners-up have our vote to get a couple of goals back, but Barcelona's phenomenal attack should have the final say as Flick's side stroll into the semi-finals without too much fuss.