Borussia Dortmund reckons to start the New Year on a high note as they have a chance to leapfrog their opponents this weekend. The side play host to Wolfsburg at the Signal Iduna Park on Sunday with kickoff at 5:30 pm.
The visitors head into the match occupying a Champions League qualification spot after losing only one of their opening 13 matches. The hosts head into the match, coming off a 2-0 win against Frankfurt.
It proves to a mixed start for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, who recently terminated Lucien Favre’s contract after a string of poor performances. Edin Terzic is currently acting as the interim manager.
A major boost for Terzic will be the return of Golden Boy Erling Haaland from his hamstring injury. The Black and Yellow have won four league games that Haaland missed at the back end of 2020.
16-year-old star Youssoufa Moukoko earned an opportunity in his absence to lead the attacking line. He became the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history following their 2-1 defeat to Union Berlin.
Wolfsburg had remained absent in Europe’s elite competition since their 2015-16 campaign when Real Madrid edged them out in the quarter-finals. However, Oliver Glasner looks to have made a strong side capable of returning to the Champions League. The side has only been defeated domestically by Bayern Munich.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Wolfsburg Head to Head
Both sides have 29 games against each other, with Borussia Dortmund takes home 17 wins while Wolfsburg has seven wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
Braunschweig 0-2 Dortmund
Union Berlin 2-1 Dortmund
Werder Bremen 1-2 Dortmund
Dortmund 1-5 Stuttgart
Zenit St. Petersburg 1-2 Dortmund
Away
Wolfsburg 4-0 SV Sandhausen
Wolfsburg 1-0 Stuttgart
Bayern Munich 2-1 Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg 2-1 Frankfurt
Koln 2-2 Wolfsburg
Borussia Dortmund Team News
Haaland is back in training but may have to settle for a place on the bench as the Norwegian forward continues searching for match fitness. Thorgan Hazard and Marcel Schmelzer remain on the sidelines, with Matt Hummels also a major doubt.
Wolfsburg Team News
There are several doubtful players due to the coronavirus. Firstly, Maximilian Arnold, Maximilian Philip, Jerome Roussillon, and Xaver Schlager having to quarantine during the Christmas period. Secondly, Admir Mehmedi is ruled out of the match with an Achilles tendon injury. However, Josh Brooks is available once again.
Prediction and Odds
With the opponents’ lineup primarily affected by a coronavirus, we can envisage Dortmund starting New Year with a win.
Borussia Dortmund Win
Goals Under 3.5
Most Goals: 2H