Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach are neck and neck in the race for European football, as the teams sit in 7th and 8th, within three points of the promotion group.
Has there ever been a more competitive Bundesliga season? A total of 10 teams have a real chance of finishing in the Top 6, with Dortmund and Monchengladbach being among the favourites right now. This was a tough week for BVB after even the famous 3-1 over Barcelona was not enough to save them from elimination from the Champions League.
Still, Niko Kovac's men must feel empowered after crushing one of the world's best, but will this positive result translate into their Bundesliga performance? BVB played exceptional football in the last three rounds, with wins over Mainz and Freiburg – two teams they aim to displace in the final chapter of the season. And last week, they held down Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw away from home.
While Dortmund have underperformed this season, Borussia Monchengladbach are one of the teams that overachieved during this campaign. The Foals have proven they can play as equals with the very best in the league, and their recent win over RB Leipzig is a great example.
How the bookies view it: They expect a one-sided derby
Although Borussia Monchengladbach have been above Dortmund throughout the entire season, bookmakers still give BVB a massive betting advantage. You can pick the hosts at 2/5, the draw at 17/4, or the away win at 21/4.
Recent head to head: One of the fiercest rivalries in recent years
The Borussen derby never fails to produce a thrilling spectacle, although Dortmund have always been the better-performing team in the elite. Nevertheless, the Foals have had their moments with three wins in the last 10 H2Hs. Borussia Dortmund have six wins, including three in the last five meetings. The reverse clash this season ended level (1-1).
Players to watch: How many can Guirassy score in a week?
Can Serhou Guirassy repeat his performance from earlier this week? After a few quiet weeks and a series of mediocre performances, the Guinean striker nailed a hat-trick against Barcelona. If this doesn't help him regain his confidence, nothing will. Moreover, he already has plenty of experience playing against Monchengladbach, with three goals and an assist in the four times he's faced them.
Probable line-ups
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Sule, Can, Anton, Ryerson, Chukwuemeka, Gross, Bensebaini, Beier, Adeyemi, Guirassy
Borussia Monchengladbach: Cardoso, Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Ullrich, Reitz, Weigl, Stoger, Hack, Plea, Kleindienst
Anything else catch the eye?
This is one of the regional derbies you never have to miss, as Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach often produce stunning fixtures. The last five in a row featured goals from both sides. Seven of the last 10 featured at least three goals, while five of those 10 featured 6+ goals. With European football at stake, we expect nothing less than a highlight performance from both teams. But based on BVB's most recent Bundesliga outings, we have to back them to win this contest. They scored three against Mainz, four against Freiburg and two against Bayern Munich.
This German Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach will be played on and kick off at 16:30. Check below for our tipsters best Borussia Dortmund vs Borussia Monchengladbach prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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