Borussia Dortmund will host Tottenham Hotspurs in their fifth Champions League Group H match at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday in a game that could revive the hosts' hope of progress to the next phase. It's not only in Champions League where Borrusia Dortmund are going through a tumultuous period but also in the German Bundesliga. The German giants head into the contest after suffering a 2-1 defeat at VfB Stuttgart on Friday in the German Bundesliga.
After stunning Real Madrid with a 3-1 victory at Wembley Stadium in their last Champions League match, Tottenham Hotspurs is aiming at finishing at the pole position in Group H.
The Spurs had a bad weekend after losing 2-0 to Arsenal in a North London derby. Tottenham Hotspurs has already booked a place in the knockout phase, but the Londoners still need to win all their remaining group matches to ensure that Real Madrid doesn't displace them at the top.
Talking points
- The last four meetings between the two clubs have seen a winner emerge on each occasion with each team prevailing twice. The games have witnessed high scoring with each match realizing at least a total of three goals.
- Borussia Dortmund has failed to win any of their last six matches in Champions League. In fact, Borussia Dortmund was unable to record a victory even against APOEL Nicosia in the two-leg encounters with each match ending in a stalemate of 1-1.
- Borussia Dortmund is currently fifth in the Bundesliga standings with twenty points after playing twelve games, but Peter Bosz's men have failed to win any of their last five league matches. In fact, The BvB have only accumulated a point in their last five Bundesliga matches.
- Tottenham Hotspurs are unbeaten in their last five Champions League matches with the last game being the 3-1 win over the title holders, Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium. The Spurs drew 1-1 in Madrid before following it up with a 3-1 success in the second leg in London.
- A loss against Tottenham Hotspurs will see Borussia Dortmund eliminated from the competition at the group stages even if Real Madrid loses to APOEL Nicosia. However, there's a spot in UEFA Europa League for the team that finishes third in a Champions League group.
Match prediction
Both teams go into the contest demoralized after suffering defeats in their respective domestic leagues.
It will be fair to forget about the weekend disappointments and bounce back with a victory for each side, but it's Borussia Dortmund who has the pressure to come on top in the contest. The hosts' manager is also under pressure and could face sacking with his team only winning one of their last eight matches in all competitions.
The Londoners look favorite to come out of Germany with another win that will send the message clear to the rest of European teams in the competitions how the Spurs are ready to challenge for the title. Harry Kane and Delle Alli who were both substituted in the 2-0 loss at Arsenal are likely to score goals for visitors. However, the injury-ravaged Borussia Dortmund will be glad to welcome back their talisman, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has been out of the team with disciplinary issues.
Full-time prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Tottenham Hotspurs
