Preview and Prediction
Wolfsburg and Dortmund are some of the teams which started well as Bundesliga resumed last week. They both were in full throttle despite the fact that the games were played behind closed doors. This weekend, they will be squaring off in Volkswagen Arena on matchday 27 for their own mission, securing spots for European competition next season.
Both teams’ previous matches
Max Arnold and Co began their return after the covid-19 break with a win over Augsburg last weekend. They took the lead first by Renato Steffen’s header before Tim Devdaj equalised at the second half after taking advantage of the set piece. Luckily, Wolfsburg could seal three points before the final whistle as Daniel Ginczek tapped in the ball at the back of the net once he saw Kevin Mbabu’s cross. This is crucial result for them which could bump them up to the sixth of the table.
Meanwhile, Dortmund trashed their local rival, Schalke 04 last weekend by four goals to nil. Erling Haaland opened the score sheet. The remaining three goals were scored by Thorgan Hazard and Raphale Guerrero’s brace. It was a victory they need to put pressure on Bayern on the top.
Possible tactics
Oliver Glasner might be in favour of the same formation as last week, 4-2-3-1, perhaps with the transition to 4-2-2-2 to distract Dortmund’s three centre back’s focus. Josip Brekalo or Admir Mehmedi can be assigned to accompany Wout Weghorst, who has netted 11 goals, at the front supported by the swift wing backs on both sides. There will be two names on the sideline later, William and Ignacio Camacho due to their injury.
In Dortmund, Lucien Favre has been more confident with 3-4-2-1 formation. The series of positive results plus the lines of talented players in the squad should put him at ease. It enables the former Nice manager to modify the ones in the line up. However, three names will be absent for this fixture, Axel Witsel, Emre Can and Dan Axel-Zagadou.
Players to watch
In Wolfsburg, the current top performers are surprisingly the two wing backs, William and Kevin Mbabu the man of the match last weekend, and the Swiss Renato Steffen, Max Arnold is another notable one with three goals and five assists so far.
Dortmund’s squad is certainly more well-known. The Norway phenomenon Erling Haaland will still be the main threat for their contenders, then Eden Hazard’s brother Thorgan and the versatile wing back Raphael Guerrero who netted a brace last weekend.
Prediction
The match might be less even than expected. Oliver Glasner’s men were still struggling to seal a win and have an exposed weakness, the set piece. This is something Marco Reus and Co could optimise to score in this game. A victory for the visitor’s side is more likely.
Betting odds
The host’s positive result last week seems to give impact to their odds among the punters. They are backed to win at 3.70 here, slightly lower than the draw result at 3.60. Yet, Dortmund are priced to win much higher than the home side, which is at 1.93.
