Borussia Dortmund vs Manchester City Preview and Prediction: UEFA Champions League Match on 14.04.2021

Manchester City under Guardiola has never been able to reach semifinal. Their failure to progress in the past four season has always been unexpected due to suffering a dramatic or surprising loss against two teams from Ligue 1 (Monaco and Lyon) plus their contenders in Premier League (Liverpool and Tottenham). This season is supposed to be their ideal time to advance. Yet, their narrow win at the first leg could give a signal that Champions League is never easy and the ghost of their dark past might still be lingering around the corner. No wonder that this match in Signal Iduna Park is not only the Citizens against Dortmund but also versus their own spectre.

The teams’ previous games

Dortmund’s confidence was boosted last weekend while travelling to Stuttgart. They were able to snatch a win in a thriller. The home side opened the scoring through Sasha Kaladjzic. Dortmund responded twice by Jude Bellingham and Marco Reus. On the 78th minute, Daniel Didavi found the equaliser. Unfortunately, the tie only last for two mintes as Dortmund’s youngster Ansgar Knauff netted his maiden goal in Bundesliga topflight.

Pep Guardiola’s men are really in need of being very cautious in this upcoming match. Their ghost has already shown its shadow. Last weekend, Manchester City was stunned and beaten 1-2 against the 10-man Leeds United at their home turf. The Whites already took the lead through Stuart Dallas whose shot hit the post first before finding the back of the net. Next, Ferran Torres did find a leveller before Leeds United’s skipper Liam Cooper was sent off. The Citizen’s supposed advantage turned into calamity as Marcelo Bielsa’s men’s swift counter attack led to Dallas’s brace.

Possible tactic

Edin Terzic could come up with a surprising tactic or formation, as he did while taking on Sevilla. Here, he might opt for 5-3-2 to attempt with low block defence which could hopefully frustrate The Citizens. Since some key names are sidelined, including Axel Witsel, Jadon Sancho, Dan Axel-Zagadou and Yousoufa Moukoko, the backline will be filled with Matts Hummels, Manuel Akanji and Emre Can while Raphael Guerrero and Thomas Munier will be featuring wide on both flanks. In the midfield area, Mahmoud Dahoud, Jude Bellingham and Thomas Delaney are operating there to support Erling Haaland and Marco Reus.

Pep Guardiola’s favourite 4-3-3 still looks wary in the reverse fixture and in the last outing last week. The Spanish boss might deploy the same formation but different line up. Gabi Jesus, Phil Foden and Ferran Torres could get a nod for the upfront. The only names on the sideline are Aymeric Laporte and Sergio Aguero.

Players to watch

Dortmund’s main scorer Erling Haaland is still the key man on their attack. 31 goals and seven assists in Bundesliga and Champions League this season is the excellent contribution for the 20-year old forward. Another name to watch is the captain Marco Reus.

The Citizens’ key men this season are many, from the skipper Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Joao Cancelo to the youngster Phil Foden, who also scored the winning goal in the reverse fixture.

Dortmund vs Manchester City Prediction

It is a crucial, decisive yet also tricky game. Dortmund only need one goal without conceding to go through or even better more goals but with two-goal difference. Considering Dortmund’s defensive frailties, Terzic’s men could snatch a win which leads to penalties, another unpredictable way to find the winner.

Betting odds

According to the punters, the game is bound to be even. The home side are backed to win at 43/10, whereas Manchester City’s win market is at 7/10. The draw result is at the value of 7/2.

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