This is the beginning of the return leg of games in the UEFA Champions League, and the groups are beginning to take shape gradually
In the widely acclaimed group of death, things are still wide open.
Although it took a late goal from Doyen Malen to beat Cologne in the season opener, Dortmund made a fine start to the Bundesliga this season. After that win, consecutive draws against Bochum and Heidenheim just before the international break.
Borussia Dortmund showed character and determination against Freiburg as they came from a halftime deficit to win the game 4-2. It was their last league game before their game against PSG in the UEFA Champions League season. Although that trip to Paris was not fruitful as they lost 2-0, a gritty 1-0 win over Wolfsburg kept their unbeaten start to the Bundesliga season on at the time.
Newcastle have been engaged in more games than their German counterparts. After a tremendous opening-day win in the Premier League, they suffered multiple defeats before getting their groove back. Julian Alvarez’s spectacular goal for Manchester City decided the contest at the Etihad before Liverpool scored two late goals at St. James Park to inflict a first home loss of the season on them. Probably their poorest performance of the season, the Magpies fell 3-1 to Brighton at the AMEX Stadium. By virtue of Calum Wilson’s strike from the penalty spot, Eddie Howe’s men got their second win of the season against Brentford.
In their first UEFA Champions League game in twenty years, goalkeeper Nick Pope denied AC Milan on multiple occasions to help the side begin their season with a point in Milan. A thumping 8-0 bashing of Sheffield United at Bramall Lane kept their fine run of form going. Another clean sheet and another win at St. James Park helped them overcome Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
Dortmund are very strong at the Signal Iduna Park as they have defeated the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal while maintaining an unbeaten record against Chelsea, West Ham, and Liverpool. In total, Dortmund has faced English opposition 35 times, winning 12 of the games. On the other hand, Newcastle have only faced German opposition twice in the Champions League before this season, and they won both games against Bayer Leverkusen.
Seb Haller, who scored while Sébastien Haller has scored 11 goals in 10 appearances in the Champions League before this season, has not found the spark this term, while Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak have been delivering in attack alongside Antony Gordon for Newcastle.
Dortmund seem to struggle when the creative spark in the middle of the park and attack – Marco Reus – is absent. The 1997 Champions League winners and losing finalists to Bayern Munich at Wembley in 2013 have a huge job on their hands, and they will need to bring their best performance to the table if they want to take all three points.
Match tickets
The match at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund kicks off on Tuesday, 7th November, at 6:45 pm UK time, and it will be shown live on TNT Sports, with coverage starting from around 6 PM.
BVB returns to their home ground, which is quite famous on UEFA Champions League nights; this particular one will be different considering the competition stage we are entering, and the 81,365 – magnificent stadium in Dortmund will be filled up for this one. With what they have done so far, Newcastle fans will be present to support their team in this game.
Getting tickets for Dortmund vs Newcastle tickets will be challenging, given the standard of the game and the country the opposition is coming from. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Line-ups
Veteran Mats Hummels continues to play at the heart of the backline for the Black and Yellow and could be partnered by Nico Schlotterbeck. Emre Can is expected to continue in midfield, and Marcel Sabitzer is expected to provide the needed support, while Sebastian Haller and Malen could be paired together in this match. However, Mateu Morey, Niclas Füllkrug, Ramy Bensebaini, and Thomas Meunier remain in Dortmund’s physio room.
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Can, Brandt, Sabitzer; Adeyemi, Haller, Malen.
Eddie Howe will probably line up in his usual 4-3-3 formation. If Sven Botman and Joe Willock return in time, they might get a chance in this game. However, Sandro Tonali, who has been settling into English football, will most likely line up with Bruno Guimaraes in midfield, and Pope should continue in goal. Meanwhile, Harvey Barnes is confirmed out of the match. The English manager rarely starts Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak together, so one might just get the nod.
Newcastle United: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
Prediction
Dortmund are past winners of this competition, and they do have pedigree. They must devise a fine performance to beat Eddie Howe’s stubborn side. The Black and Yellow have been excellent at home to an extent, which should give them a confidence boost going into this game.
Newcastle have won just two of their last ten away Champions League games, and their current form on the road doesn’t suggest they can improve that win percentage.
Dortmund 1-0 Newcastle
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