Borussia Dortmund welcome Union Berlin to Signal Iduna Park for a German Bundesliga clash on Sunday. The hosts are aiming to bounce back from a draw on the opening weekend, while the visitors are looking to build on a win.
Dortmund began their campaign in frustrating fashion as they squandered a two-goal lead in a 3-3 draw away at St Pauli. Reduced to 10 men, they conceded twice in the final three minutes and were forced to settle for just a point.
The pattern of that game was similar to much of the performances last season as Dortmund do not appear to have solved their defensive problems. However, manager Niko Kovac will be hoping to maintain their form at the Signal Iduna Park, having won their final four Bundesliga matches last season.
Union Berlin, meanwhile, got off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Stuttgart last weekend. German striker Ilyas Ansah bagged a brace at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei to get Steffen Baumgart’s side up and running.
It was a solid performance from Union Berlin, who looked off colour in preseason and suffered four straight defeats prior to last weekend’s big kick-off. They claimed a 5-0 victory at Gutersloh in the DFB Pokal and will look to replicate that performance on Sunday.
How the bookies view it: Dortmund firm favourites
The bookies have installed Borussia Dortmund as overwhelming favourites, with a home win priced at 4/11 by BoyleSports. A victory for Union Berlin is valued at 5/1, while a draw is set at odds of 15/4.
Head to head: Dortmund hold the upper hand
Borussia Dortmund have a 10-4 advantage with one draw from 15 previous matches against Union Berlin. Both teams won their home fixture last season, with the clash at the Signal Iduna Park ending 6-0 in favour of the hosts.
Players to watch: Eyes on Guirassy
Serhou Guirassy has already picked up where he left off last season after getting among the goals at St Pauli. The striker could be backed to score anytime on Sunday (Serhou Guirassy anytime goalscorer – available at 4/6 with BoyleSports).
Ansah carries the goal threat for Union Berlin and will head into this clash full of confidence following his brace last time out. The forward could be the one to watch for the visitors (Ilyas Ansah anytime goalscorer – offered at 7/2).
Probable line-ups:
Gregor Kobel should keep his place between the sticks for Dortmund, with Ramy Bensebaini and Waldemar Anton in defence. Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Gross should feature in midfield, while Karim Adeyemi and Guirassy spearhead the attack.
Union Berlin, meanwhile, should set up with Frederik Ronnow in goal. Christopher Trimmel, Danilho Doekhi, and Leopold Querfeld should provide defensive cover, with Andras Schafer, Ansah and Andrej Ilic all expected to feature.
Dortmund: Kobel, Bensebaini, Anton, Ryerson, Svensson, Sabitzer, Gross, Couto, Bellingham, Adeyemi, Guirassy
Union Berlin: Ronnow, Trimmel, Doekhi, Querfeld, Rothe, Skov, Schafer, Khedira, Haberer, Ansah, Ilic
Anything else catch the eye?
Three of the last four meetings at Signal Iduna Park have produced over 3.5 goals (Over 3.5 goals – priced at 12/10 by BoyleSports). Borussia Dortmund have scored in both halves in four of the last five matches against Union Berlin (Borussia Dortmund to score in both halves – available at Evens).
Given the minimal odds for a straight victory for Borussia Dortmund, a win and both teams to score offers more value (Borussia Dortmund win & BTTS YES – set at odds of 7/4).
GambleAware