Verdict: Francesco Acerbi Over 0.5 fouls
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
In what is another heavyweight Champions League showdown on Wednesday night, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan will sign off their respective group stage adventures when they meet in rural Germany.
Borussia Dortmund
Starting with the hosts, while Borussia Dortmund might sit firmly in the driving seat to punch their knockout stage ticket on Wednesday night, the German giants missed out on the opportunity to make it official last week. Putting in a downbeat dimply as they slumped to a 2-0 loss away at Premier League strugglers Tottenham, Niko Kovac’s men will certainly be excited to make a return to home soil here. Claiming an immediate response over the weekend as they cruised their way to a routine 3-0 romp against Union Berlin, BVB will be dreaming of a repeat display here. With that 2-0 defeat in north London the only loss they have suffered from their previous nine appearances across all competitions, the former Monaco boss has also seen his squad gain a real reputation for their extended dominance in rural Germany.
Borussia Dortmund Team News
Shown a first-half red card away against Tottenham last week, Swedish international Daniel Svensson will miss out through suspension here. Likewise, still dealing with a recent calf issue, ex-Bayern Munich ace Marcel Sabitzer remains a major doubt in midweek.
Registering five direct goal contributions in his seven Champions League appearances this season (three goals, two assists), Serhou Guirassy will spearhead BVB’s charge in the final third. Arriving from Sunderland over the summer, England U21 international Jobe Bellingham should keep his spot in the middle of the park.
Inter Milan
As for the visitors, also left frustrated last week as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at home against English high-flyers Arsenal, Inter Milan have shown some worrying European issues on either side of opening the New Year. Despite already wrapping up their own knockout stage spot ahead of Wednesday’s trip to rural Germany, the Nerazzurri have lost each of their last three straight Champions League appearances by an aggregate score of 6-2. Nevertheless, claiming an immediate response over the weekend as they secured a thrilling 6-2 victory at home against Pisa, Cristian Chivu’s side should be excited by their extended success away from the San Siro. Despite suffering Super Cup heartbreak at the hands of Bologna on December 19th, Inter Milan have won each of their other five showdowns on the road.
Inter Milan Team News
Limping off against Pisa on Friday night after suffering a first-half blow, Brazilian international Luis Henrique is not expected to feature in Germany. Not featuring since returning from November’s international break, Dutch ace Denzel Dumfries remains on the sidelines with a long-term ankle issue.
Recording four goals in his six Champions League appearances this season, skipper Lautaro Martinez will lead the line in midweek. Forced to settle for a spot on the bench against Pisa over the weekend, former Borussia Monchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram could be handed a full recall.
Borussia Dortmund vs Inter Milan Key Factors to Consider
- When Borussia Dortmund last welcomed Inter Milan to rural Germany for a Champions League showdown back in November 2019, BVB claimed an action-packed 3-2 win.
- BVB have suffered just a single defeat at Signal Iduna Park across any competition so far this season.
- Despite already punching their knockout stage ticket, Inter Milan have lost each of their previous three consecutive Champions League appearances by an aggregate score of 6-2.
- The Italian giants have won five of their last six showdowns away from the San Siro.
- Dortmund have notched at least a pair of goals in seven of their last eight matchups across all formats.
Conclusion
While Inter Milan might have already punched their Champions League knockout stage ticket, the Italian giants have shown some recent issues on the continent. Including a 3-1 loss at home against Arsenal last week, Wednesday’s guests have lost all of their previous three straight European showdowns by an aggregate score of 6-2. Although Borussia Dortmund might have missed out on what they had billed as a golden opportunity as they slumped to a 2-0 loss away against Spurs, BVB will certainly be excited to make a return to home soil here. Landing an action-packed 3-2 victory when they last welcomed Milan to rural Germany back in 2019, Kovac’s side will be confident of asking some questions.
Verdict: Francesco Acerbi Over 0.5 fouls
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
