Borussia Dortmund vs RB Leipzig
Borussia Dortmund will be looking to keep pace with leaders Bayern Munich, while RB Leipzig will aim to solidify their presence in the top four when the two teams meet at the Signal Iduna Park on Saturday, April 2. It’s a high stakes game for both teams that will also have consequences for the other clubs.
The host Dortmund have taken 11 points from their last five games, the same as Bayern.
Ideally, Marco Rose’s men want to win their next three matches before facing Bayern at the Allianz Arena.
Meanwhile, Leipzig have failed to match the highs of their previous campaign.
This season, Domenico Tedesco’s men have been unlucky, and the stats prove it.
According to Soccerment, Leipzig expected goals (xG) tally for this season was 55.76, while they scored 57 goals. On the other hand, Dortmund had an xG score of 52.24 but have managed to find the back of the net 67 times.
Stop it, April! 🗓️ You're spoiling us 🥰
Some huge #Bundesliga matchups on the way next month. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/96qztJwg4K
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) March 27, 2022
Leipzig bettered Dortmund for expected points (48.46 vs 47.73) but is 12 points behind.
Team News
Marco Reus was back in training for Dortmund after missing the previous four games due to illness. If fit, he can significantly improve the team’s offense. BVB have taken eight points in the four games that Reus has missed. If Reus does come back, it will be one of Thorgan Hazard and Marius Wolf who drop to the bench. Julian Brandt could also be in the mix for one of the attacking positions.
Borussia Dortmund(Probable line-up) (4-1-4-1): Gregor Kobel , Raphaël Guerreiro, Manuel Akanji, Emre Can, Felix Passlack, Axel Witsel, Jude Bellingham, Marco Reus/Thorgan Hazard, Giovanni Reyna, Marius Wolf//Julian Brandt, Erlig Haaland
Excited to play your first match in front of a full stadium in Dortmund, @BellinghamJude? 👀
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) March 30, 2022
Meanwhile, Leipzig has a fully fit squad to call upon except centre back Lukas Klosterman. Simakan, Orban, and Gvardiol will be the back three for the team in his absence. Benjamin Henrichs and Angelino will be attacking wing-backs, and Emil Forsberg playing just behind Christopher Nkunku and Andre Silva.
RB Leipzig (Probable line-up) (3-4-1-2): Péter Gulacsi, Mohamed Simakan, Willi Orban, Josko Gvardiol, Benjamin Henrichs, Angelino, Konrad Laimer, Kevin Kampl,, Emil Forsberg, Christopher Nkunku, Andre Silva.
Game Changers
Erling Haaland
For most of the season, Borussia Dortmund have drawn matches that they really should have won. And their defence is still the fifth-best in the league with 38 goals conceded, the same as second-last placed Arminia Bielefeld.
HAALAND!!! BOOM!!! pic.twitter.com/hk73xd5FDq
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) December 15, 2021
But it is Erling Haaland who is the ultimate game-changer. The Norwegian is the this-highest goal scorer in Bundesliga despite missing more than two-and-a-half months of action. He has failed to reach the heights of previous seasons due to injuries, but Haaland can be more than a match for any defence on his day.
Christopher Nkunku
Die Roten Bullen have had a frustrating season to contend with as they are in the middle of an intense battle for the last two Champions League spot. And one of the reasons that they are still in the top four race is Christopher Nkunku.
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐮
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐮
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐮
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐮That's the tweet 😎 pic.twitter.com/spYcTnfiEo
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) September 25, 2021
This season, the Frenchman has genuinely burst onto the scene with 15 goals and nine assists to his name.And he will be the key for Leipzig if they are to come out with something from the Westfalenstadion
Predictions
Both Dortmund and Leipzig come into the match after taking 11 points from their last five games. And on paper, it looks like quite an even match. However, Dortmund have the home advantage, and the atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park can be pretty inspiring. Leipzig also have only the seventh-best team in away games.
Foottheball predicts a 3-1 win for Bourssia Dortmund with Erling Haaland scoring a brace.
