Borussia Dortmund will host Real Betis in their matchday four of their UEFA Champions League campaign on Wednesday at the Signal Iduna Park.
Borussia Dortmund vs Real Betis – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 4th November.
- Kick-off: 8pm BST.
- Venue: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund.
Borussia Dortmund team news
Borussia Dortmund enters this Champions League fixture with several notable absences, requiring manager Niko Kovač to adapt his tactical approach.
The Bundesliga side remains without the services of captain Emre Can, who continues his long-term recovery from an ACL injury. The midfield depth is further tested by the absence of Giannis Konstantelias, who is sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear.
Additionally, options are limited as Justin Lerma remains unavailable due to an ongoing muscle injury, while Kauã Prates is also ruled out after picking up a fresh muscle issue.
On a positive note, Konstantinos Karetsas is back in contention for selection after fully recovering from an ankle injury. Furthermore, forward Fábio Silva is heavily pushing for a spot in the starting eleven, carrying momentum after rescuing a crucial late equaliser in the recent high-stakes clash against rivals Bayern Munich.
Real Betis team news
Real Betis travels to Germany facing several selection dilemmas of their own, forcing manager Manuel Pellegrini to shuffle his squad.
The Spanish outfit will have to cope without forward Cucho Hernández, who has been ruled out as he continues to recover from a persistent calf issue.
The defensive options are also stretched, with full-back Júnior Firpo missing the trip entirely due to lingering muscular problems. Adding to their selection headaches, midfielder Facundo Bernal is unavailable for this European encounter due to a suspension.
Despite these setbacks, the backline will feature a highly anticipated storyline as experienced defender Marc Bartra is expected to start in central defence.
This appearance marks a deeply emotional return for the veteran centre-back, who previously played for Borussia Dortmund and will now look to marshal the Betis defence against his former employers.
Form
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund enters this fixture showing strong consistency, having suffered just one defeat in their last thirteen matches. In the Champions League league phase, they hold six points from three matches following wins over Villarreal and Sabah FK alongside a shock loss to Bodø/Glimt. Domestically, they sit second in the Bundesliga, level on points with leaders Bayern Munich after playing out an encouraging, high-intensity 2-2 draw away at the Allianz Arena last weekend.
Real Betis
Real Betis boasts a highly impressive recent record, experiencing only one defeat across their previous eleven matches in all competitions. In the Champions League, the Spanish side enjoys a flawless start to the campaign, occupying fifth place after winning all three matches against Lille, Porto, and Feyenoord. Domestically, manager Manuel Pellegrini has guided the team to a solid fourth position in La Liga, recently securing a 2-1 win over Málaga.
Predicted lineups
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Gadou, Anton, Schlotterbeck; Ryerson, Veerman, Nmecha, Svensson; Bellingham; F Silva, Guirassy
Real Betis: Valles; Bellerin, Bartra, Natan, F Garcia; Fornals, Roca; Antony, Isco, Ezzalzouli; Parrott
How to watch Borussia Dortmund vs Real Betis?
The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 4.
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