Dortmund vs Barcelona: Preview and Betting Tips | UCL 2024

BVB have lost just once in 17 home matches in this competition. Both clubs have four wins in five matchdays in the Champions League with a combined 34 goals scored.

Match: Dortmund vs Barcelona
When: Wednesday, 11 December 2024, 22:00 SAST.
Where: Signal Iduna Park

Dortmund Form

BVB were on a poor run at one stage this season with five defeats across eight matches. They’ve bounced back and their last seven fixtures have seen four wins. They beat Sturm Graz 1-0 at home on matchday four of the Champions League before a 3-1 loss at Mainz.

Two wins followed, 4-0 at home vs Freiburg and 3-0 away at Dinamo Zagreb on matchday five. A 1-1 home draw versus Bayern Munich saw an 85th-minute goal conceded. On Saturday, another lead was surrendered in the Bundesliga as they drew 1-1 at Borussia Monchengladbach with 60% possession and outshooting their opponents 16-9.

Dortmund Team News

Coach Nuri Sahin saw winger Max Beier and centre back Niklas Sule go off injured in the last match. Neither is expected to be available for this match.

Julian Brandt is out with a hamstring injury and speedy winger Karim Adeyemi is still doubtful after a long hamstring complaint. Centre back Waldemar Anton is ruled out so Emre Can could cover at the back.

Dortmund Motivation

Dortmund are doing very well in Europe. They will want to put up a good showing to boost their top eight hopes.

Sahin’s side are very attacking but they’ve become a bit more solid in recent weeks. The coach has bemoaned the injuries and fatigue in his ranks.

Barcelona Form

Barcelona had a remarkable start to this season. A run of seven straight wins at one point included a 4-1 thrashing of Bayern Munich and a 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. A 3-1 home win over Espanyol made it 11 wins in 12 La Liga matches.

A real slump has since followed. They lost 1-0 at Real Sociedad and drew 2-2 at Celta Vigo having led 2-0 after 83 minutes. A 3-0 Champions League win over Brest was followed by losing 2-1 at home to Las Palmas in La Liga. Hansi Flick’s side won 5-1 at Mallorca but dropped points at Real Betis last time out, drawing 2-2 in the 94^th minute as they allowed 3.15 xG.

Barcelona Team News

Barcelona are without goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the rest of the season as Inaki Pena continues to cover. Defenders Andreas Christensen and Ronaldo Araujo are back in training but this match may come too soon for them.  

Young midfielder Marc Bernal is out and winger Ansu Fati is an injury concern with a hamstring complaint. The lineup picks itself with Marc Cassado preferred to Frenkie De Jong in midfield.

Barcelona Motivation

Blaugrana are cruising in Europe and will want to ensure a top eight finish. A draw in Germany would be a great result.  

Barca can play in many ways. They excelled on the counter attack vs Bayern Munich and could use a similar approach here.

Key Stats

Dortmund have lost just 1 of their last 14 home UCL matches (5 wins in last 6)

Dortmund’s Guirassy has scored 15 goals in his last 18 matches for club & country

Barca have won 4 of their 5 Champions League matches this season (18 goals scored)

Barcelona have won just 2 of their last 6 matches (2 losses, 2 draws)

Barcelona’s Raphinha has scored 16 goals this season (5 in 5 in the Champions League)

Verdict: Dortmund vs Barcelona

The hosts rarely lose at home in this competition. Barcelona are leaky goals but Dortmund have some defensive injuries. An exciting draw could be on the cards.

Best Bet: Over 3.5 goals at 1.95
Value Bet: Draw 3.95
Anytime Goalscorer Tips: Guirassy at 2.60 or Raphinha at 3.00 (or both at 7.06)