Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to punch their Club World Cup knockout stage ticket with a statement, Borussia Dortmund will meet Ulsan HD in Cincinnati on Wednesday night.
Borussia Dortmund
Starting with Borussia Dortmund, eventually avoiding what would have been an infamous collapse over the weekend as they snatched a 4-3 victory against Mamelodi, Niko Kovac’s men will be seeking a far more routine outing here. Looking to punch their Club World Cup knockout stage ticket with a routine display, the German giants have their sights firmly set on mounting a genuine title charge this summer. Signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a 3-0 romp against Kiel on May 17th, BVB are enjoying what has been an extended flurry. In fact, winning all of their final five Bundesliga appearances by an aggregate score of 17-6, Kovac’s side have suffered just a single defeat across any competition since returning from March’s international break. Finding what has been a major clinical edge in the final third, Dortmund are rightfully installed as a landslide contender.
Borussia Dortmund Team News
Both still dealing with respective injury issues, Borussia Dortmund have already confirmed that both Nico Schlotterbeck and former Liverpool star Emre Can will not feature this summer. Handed a rest over the weekend and only making a cameo appearance off the bench, Austrian international Marcel Sabitzer should be handed a full recall.
Opening his BVB account against Mamelodi on Saturday following a big-money move from Sunderland, Jobe Bellingham should keep his spot in the middle of the park. Despite continued speculation over a summer move to Chelsea, Jamie Gittens will be hoping to get some minutes.
Ulsan HD
As for Ulsan, while the South Korean heavyweights might have made real history last season as they claimed a third consecutive K League crown, Kim Pan-gon’s men have struggled to find any real fluidity this time around. Getting their Club World Cup adventure underway with back-to-back defeats against Fluminense and Mamelodi, the Tigers have already watched their knockout stage dreams go up in smoke. Sat rock-bottom of the Group F standings, Ulsan have also shown some worrying defensive issues. Signing off May with a 3-1 defeat away at domestic rivals Jeonbuk, the former Hong Kong boss has seen his squad muster just a sole victory from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Likewise, registering just a sole clean sheet over the past six weeks, the Blues have an almighty job on their hands here.
Ulsan HD Team News
Missing out against Fluminense over the weekend with a reported muscle issue, Ulsan are once again expected to be without South Korean youngster Myung-Guan Seo on Wednesday night. Venezuela international Matias Lacava could make a first Club World Cup start of the summer.
Completing a permanent switch from Brazilian outfit Juventude ahead of the 2025 campaign, Erick Farias should keep his spot leading the line in Cincinnati. Former Sweden international Darijan Bojanic will start one the middle of the park.
Borussia Dortmund vs Ulsan HD Key Factors to Consider
- Wednesday’s showdown in Cincinnati will be the first meeting between Borussia Dortmund and Ulsan HD.
- BVB won their final five Bundesliga appearances last season by an aggregate score of 17-6.
- Including their 4-3 win against Mamelodi over the weekend, Dortmund have bagged at least a trio of goals in seven of their last eight appearances across all competitions.
- Ulsan have lost their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 8-3.
- The Tigers have also registered just a sole clean sheet over the past six weeks.
Conclusion
While Borussia Dortmund might have eventually dragged themselves to a frantic 4-3 victory against Mamelodi last weekend, the German giants will certainly be seeking a more routine performance here. Looking to punch their World Club Cup knockout stage ticket with a statement of intent, Kovac’s side should be smelling a golden opportunity on Wednesday night. With the South Korean outfit losing their last three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 8-3, they have unsurprisingly shown some major defensive struggles.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: Luckster
