With Bayern Munich dropping points in consecutive games, the Bundesliga title race is back alive, and Borussia Dortmund are the biggest contenders ahead of their outing against VfL Wolfsburg. The team in black and yellow will look to secure all three points when they hit the road to square up against Wolfsburg, who will look to stay clear of the drop zone with a win.
The home team are 14th on the table with 19 points in their 20 outings, and they have come out on top once in their last five Bundesliga games. After their draw against FC Heidenheim at home, Die Wolfe have suffered defeats at the hands of FSV Mainz and FC Koln.
Given the kind of form they have been in, Wolfsburg could certainly have a long day at the office against a well-drilled team like Dortmund. They are already five points clear of the drop zone, and a positive result here could do wonders for them.
Meanwhile, the visitors are second on the table with 45 points in their 20 outings, thanks to 13 wins, six draws and a defeat. Despite an impressive first half, Borussia Dortmund were very much out of the title race, as Bayern Munich were on an incredible run.
However, the reigning Bundesliga champions have dropped five points in their last two league games, and now the gap at the top is just six points. On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund have won each of their last four league games.
While Niko Kovac’s men did secure a hard-fought 3-2 win over Heidenheim last time out, they will have to be a bit more solid at the back to continue their winning streak. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
The home team will be without the services of Cleiton Santos (ankle), Moritz Jenz (suspended), Joakim Maehle (shoulder) and Rogerio (muscle). Apart from the quartet, everyone else is expected to be available for selection.
VfL Wolfsburg will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Kamil Grabara will take charge in goal. Sael Kumbedi and Aaron Zehnter will feature as the full-backs, while Denis Vavro will pair up with Konstantinos Koulierakis in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Maximilian Arnold will partner with Yannick Gerhardt in the centre of the park. The duo will form the double pivot, and they will look to shield the backline and control the tempo of the game.
Lovro Majer and Mohamed Amoura are expected to feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Christian Eriksen will take up the number ten role, while Dzenan Pejcinovic will lead the line for Wolfsburg vs Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Grabara; Kumbedi, Vavro, Koulierakis, Zehnter; Gerhardt, Arnold; Majer, Eriksen, Amoura; Pejcinovic
Niko Kovac will be without the services of Emre Can (illness) and Marcel Sabitzer (calf issue). Apart from the duo, everyone else is expected to be available for selection for Borussia Dortmund against VfL Wolfsburg this weekend.
The away side will line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, where Gregor Kobel will take charge in goal. The back three will be made up of Niklas Sule, Waldemar Anton, and Nico Schlotterbeck. The trio will look to keep things tight at the back, and they will receive significant support from Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson, who will feature as the wing-backs.
Meanwhile, Jobe Bellingham will partner with Felix Nmecha in the centre of the park. Julian Brandt and Maximilian Beier will be the two attacking midfielders behind Serhou Guirassy, who will spearhead the Borussia Dortmund attack agianst VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Sule, Anton, Schlotterbeck; Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Beier, Brandt; Guirassy
Brandt will be the player to watch when Borussia Dortmund take on VfL Wolfsburg, given his growing influence in the final third this season. The German international has featured in 25 matches across competitions, racking up nine goals and two assists, underlining his importance in the away side’s attacking setup.
In the league alone, he has been directly involved in seven goals across 15 outings, often stepping up in key moments to unlock stubborn defences. Operating between the lines, Brandt’s movement, close control, and ability to arrive late in the box make him a constant threat, especially against teams that sit deep.
Borussia Dortmund should head into this clash as the clear favourites, given their strong away form and growing momentum in the title race. The visitors have shown consistency on the road and possess enough quality in all departments to control proceedings, especially against a Wolfsburg side that has struggled for rhythm and defensive stability in recent weeks.
Wolfsburg will be desperate for a positive result to ease relegation worries, and they could look to stay compact and play on the counter. However, sustaining that approach against Dortmund’s fluid attack may prove difficult over 90 minutes.
With players like Julian Brandt capable of unlocking defences, the visitors should have enough firepower to claim a professional win and keep the pressure on Bayern Munich at the top. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for the away team.
