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Although this match has no bearing on the Bundesliga table, Borussia Dortmund are looking to build momentum ahead of their Champions League final showdown with Real Madrid at Wembley
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 18th May 2024, UK – 14:30 / US EST – 09:30 / US PST – 07:30
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports schedule / US – ESPN
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – ESPN+
BORUSSIA DORTMUND PREVIEW: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE JUDGEMENT DAY LOOMS IN THE DISTANCE FOR DORTMUND
No doubt that everyone associated with Borussia Dortmund will have their eyes on the Champions League final, but before then they have Bundesliga business to take care of and they’ll want to head to Wembley on the back of a win. There’s no excuse for them not to do that against rock-bottom Darmstadt.
No player is expected to be rested by Edin Terzic with minutes on the pitch vital when considering that the final doesn’t take place until June 1st. After losing two of their last three league games including most recently a 3-0 beating at the hands of Mainz, Dortmund are no doubt determined to get back to winning ways.
DARMSTADT PREVIEW: RELEGATED DARMSTADT SET FOR REBUILD BACK IN 2. BUNDESLIGA
Darmstadt’s miserable season was comprehensively capped off last weekend with them being thrashed 0-6 on their own ground against Hoffenheim. It was always going to be a struggle for them in the German top flight but I don’t think many expected them to put up so little of a fight in the end, relegated with a whimper.
Fortunately for Darmstadt, their opponents have nothing to play for in the league with fifth-place already guaranteed, otherwise this is another game which could’ve gotten very ugly for the visitors. They are still in for a long afternoon though at Signal Iduna Park.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND TEAM NEWS: BENSEBAINI & HALLER REMAIN OUT
Ramy Bensebaini and Sebastien Haller have both been injured for a significant period of time now and that remains the case. Bensebaini has a knee injury, whilst an ankle problem is keeping Haller out. They are joined on the sidelines by Julien Duranville.
Expect Marco Reus to start in what is his final game at Signal Iduna Park as a Borussia Dortmund player. It will no doubt be emotional for both player and fans alike after Reus has given the club such sterling service down the years.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Can, Sabitzer; Adeyemi, Brandt, Reus; Fullkrug
UNAVAILABLE: Bensebaini (Injured), Duranville (Injured), Haller (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
DARMSTADT TEAM NEWS: NURNBERGER DOUBTFUL, MULLER SUSPENDED
A long injury list doesn’t help Darmstadt’s cause with Holland, Hornby, Manu and Riedel all out. Fabian Nurnberger is doubtful with a shoulder problem, whilst Jannik Muller is suspended after picking up another booking against Hoffenheim.
Marvin Mehlem will captain the side, most likely in a deep central midfield role as Darmstadt look to keep bodies behind the ball, knowing the threat that their opponents pose offensively, with the front three looking to play on the counter-attack.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Brunst; Klarer, Gjasula, Maglica; Bader, Justvan, Mehlem, Karic; Skarke, Seydel, Holtmann
UNAVAILABLE: Holland (Injured), Hornby (Injured), Manu (Injured), Muller (Suspended), Riedel (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Nurnberger (Injured)
BORUSSIA DORTMUND VS DARMSTADT PREDICTION
In regards to the match result itself, any outcome other than a comprehensive Borussia Dortmund win would be a genuine shock. But it’s very likely that the players will be looking to get Marco Reus a goal in his final home appearance at some point. Reus himself will no doubt be desperate to score and it would be no surprise if any penalty or free-kick within shooting range is allocated to him, not to mention an ultra-offensive role in midfield. Back Reus to cap off his Bundesliga career at Borussia Dortmund by finding the net one more time at the Westfalen.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND VS DARMSTADT TIP: MARCO REUS TO SCORE ANYTIME