Bologna vs Borussia Dortmund Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Bologna have been really poor in their first UEFA Champions League season in over 60 years as the Italians now prepare to take on a Borussia Dortmund side that are struggling domestically.
Kick-off date/time: Tuesday 21st January, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – CBS Sports
How to watch online: UK – Discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Bologna Preview: Italiano’s Bologna
Former Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Italiano took charge of a Bologna side enduring a difficult summer in the transfer window about six months ago but, after a slow start to the campaign, they have been impressive and are once again punching above their weight domestically.
However, in the UEFA Champions League, they have endured a very difficult opening six matches. They are one of just four sides that remain winless in the competition and are on the verge of their elimination being mathematically confirmed this week.
Borussia Dortmund Preview: The UCL reprieve
Edin Terzic led Borussia Dortmund to the final of the UEFA Champions League last season but underperformance in the Bundesliga led to him being replaced by Nuri Sahin. Things haven’t improved domestically, though, despite continued good performances on the continent.
Dortmund suffered their third successive Bundesliga loss after the winter break at the weekend as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend. They do sit just outside of the top eight and automatic qualification for the knockout stages in this competition, though.
Bologna Team News: Potential rotation
With Bologna’s focus now probably on securing a top seven or eight finish and potential European qualification this season, there is a chance that Vincenzo Italiano takes the chance to rest and rotate through his squad this week.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Holm; Ferguson, Holm; Urbanski, Fabbian, Iling-Junior; Dallinga
Unavailable: Aebischer (Injured)
Questionable:
Borussia Dortmund Team News: Defensive issues
Nuri Sahin has been dealing with plenty of illness, especially involving his defenders, in recent weeks but everyone appears to be better from that, although Niklas Sule remains an injury doubt, whilst full-back Yan Couto is missing through suspension for this one.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Kobel; Ryerson, Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Sabitzer, Nmecha, Brandt; Duranville, Guirassy, Bynoe-Gittens
Unavailable: Couto (Suspended)
Questionable: Sule (Injured)
Key Stats
- Coming soon
Bologna vs Borussia Dortmund Prediction
Bologna come into this one on the back of an impressive 3-1 defeat of Monza at the Renato Dall’Ara at the weekend thanks to goals from Santiago Castro, Jens Odgaard and Riccardo Orsolini. They have suffered just one defeat in their last nine matches across all competitions as they now face a Borussia Dortmund sliding down the Bundesliga table with Nuri Sahin under growing pressure so even if their UEFA Champions League campaign seems over, a double chance bet in favour of Bologna may well be a good value bet for this one.
Bologna vs Borussia Dortmund Tip: Double chance – Bologna to win or draw
