Dortmund versus PSG Review, Forecasts, and Top Wagers
Match Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain in UEFA Champions League Semi-Final First Leg
On Wednesday, Borussia Dortmund (BVB) welcomes Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Signal Iduna Park for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. The sides previously met in the group stage, with a 1-1 draw in Germany. BVB remains unbeaten in ten home games in this competition.
Dortmund Form
The German outfit has shown mixed form in recent matches. Following a 2-0 win at Bayern Munich, BVB suffered a 1-0 home loss to Stuttgart, which resulted in a damaging blow to their top-four race. This was preceded by a ten-match winless streak against Bayern. After their Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat to Atletico Madrid, they managed to secure a 2-1 win with ten men at Borussia Monchengladbach, followed by a 4-2 home victory over Atletico Madrid. However, a late goal conceded led to a 1-1 home draw against Bayer Leverkusen, leaving them with a 4-1 defeat away to RB Leipzig in their most recent match.
Team News
Winger Donyell Malen is a doubt due to an injury, but Ian Maatsen should recover from a knock to start at left-back. Emre Can returns from a domestic suspension to start in central midfield. Defender Ramy Bensebaini is injured long-term, while striker Sebastien Haller is unlikely to feature due to an ankle issue. Coach Edin Terzic is optimistic that Mats Hummels will recover from a shin injury to play.
Motivation
BVB views this first leg as crucial for their progress to the final, as anything other than a win would make it challenging for them to reach it. The German team will look to attack strenuously, aiming for at least a one-goal advantage ahead of the second leg in Paris.
PSG Form
PSG has enjoyed a successful season both domestically and in Europe. Highlights include a 2-0 victory at rivals Marseille with ten men, securing a 1-0 win over Rennes to reach the Coupe de France final, and thumping Barcelona 4-1 away to progress to the Champions League semi-finals. They won 4-1 against Lyon, won by the same scoreline away at Lorient, and despite a 3-3 draw against Le Havre in their most recent match, they clinched the Ligue 1 title.
Team News
Coach Luis Enrique has a nearly full-strength squad to choose from for this encounter. Presnel Kimbembe and Layvin Kurwawa are sidelined in defense, while goalkeeper Sergio Rico is absent. Fabian Ruiz was rested for the weekend's game, while Lucas Hernandez and both Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe were limited to 45 minutes each against Le Havre.
Motivation
PSG boasts a potent attacking prowess and is unlikely to play defensively in Germany. They will aim to score, and secure a draw for the first leg, before attempting to turn around a one-goal deficit in Paris.
Key Stats
- BVB has only lost three of their last six matches (1 loss in sixteen before that).
- BVB remains unbeaten in ten home games in the Champions League.
- BVB has scored two or more goals in seven of their last nine home matches.
- PSG has only lost one match in their last thirty-two games (twenty-two wins).
- PSG has won consecutive away Champions League matches, having previously won only two games in twelve away Champions League matches.
Predictions
James O'Connor, a football analyst who specializes in PSL and English Premier League tactics, offers the following predictions:
- The match is expected to have multiple goals due to the attacking nature of both sides.
- A score draw is an enticing possibility for the first leg.
- Mbappe may score the opening goal at odds of 4.35.
In this UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain, both teams are known for their offensive strategies, with BVB aiming for at least a one-goal advantage and PSG seeking to score and secure a draw. James O'Connor, a football analyst, predicts that the match will involve multiple goals due to the attacking nature of the teams, and a score draw for the first leg is considered an enticing possibility. Kylian Mbappe may score the opening goal at odds of 4.35.
