Borussia Dortmund vs Liverpool Prediction and Preview – 07/04/16
Europa League preview – Borussia Dortmund vs Liverpool prediction.
Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchels has central defenders Sokratis and Mats Hummel available for the Europa League quarter-final first leg. Highly-rated midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is also back in training but is unlikely to be involved so soon after a five-match absence. Shinji Kagawa is pushing for a place after coming on as substitute to score against Werder Bremen at the weekend.
Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino is doubtful as he struggles with a hamstring injury suffered against Manchester United in the previous round. With defensive midfielder Lucas Leiva doubtful and striker Christian Benteke ruled out, manager Jurgen Klopp could keep the same eleven that lined up against Tottenham at the weekend. It would leave highly-rated youngsters Divock Origi and Jordon Ibe starting on the bench.
Possible Line-ups
Borussia Dortmund 4-3-3 formation: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Sokratis, Hummels, Schmelzer; Durm, Weigl, Castro; Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang, Reus
Liverpool 4-3-3 formation: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Can, Henderson, Milner; Lallana, Sturridge, Coutinho
Statistics
- Borussia Dortmund have won 9 drawn 1 and lost 0 of their last 10 matches
- Liverpool have won 5 drawn 4 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Borussia Dortmund have scored an average of 2 goals and conceded an average of 0.5 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Liverpool have scored an average of 1.9 goals and conceded an average of 0.7 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Borussia Dortmund’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Liverpool’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Dortmund have won 14 and drawn 2 of their last 16 competitive games and made light work of eliminating Premier League title challengers Tottenham in the previous round of this competition. The Germans’ characteristically mean defence has conceded in the each of the last three games, including two against relegation-threatened Werder Bremen, but should be more solid with the anticipated return of Sokratis and Hummels. Dortmund’s solitary home defeat this season came in the Europa League group stage when PAOK escaped with a 1-0 win.
Liverpool qualified for the quarter-finals with their 6th draw in 10 Europa League games when eliminating Manchester United 3-1 on aggregate last month. The Merseysiders drew 1-1 at home to Tottenham on Saturday and have now gone three games without a win. They are undefeated in this season’s Europa league but have only won once away from home (1-0 v Rubin Kazan) and have only scored two goals in four trips to mainland Europe.
Dortmund are firm favourites to lift the trophy and are expected to secure a first leg lead at Iduna Park on Thursday.
Tips
Borussia Dortmund to win at 4/7 with Betfred
Under 2.5 goals at 23/20 with Marathonbet
Borussia Dortmund to win 2-0 at 15/2 with BetVictor
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