Wolfsburg vs Dortmund Best Bet: Team News and Lineups Preview

Ahead of the weekend, here we have a prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview ahead of the match between Wolfsburg and Dortmund. It’s a difficult match to call between two sides who’ll look to end the year on a high.

The home side has provided plenty of entertainment at Volkswagen Arena this season. They’re a great side to watch at both ends of the pitch. Nuri Sahin’s men are 8th after 14 matches. They’ve struggled massively away from home. They’re yet to win a Bundesliga match away from Signal Iduna Park. I wouldn’t be confident backing them to pick up all three points.

Wolfsburg vs Dortmund Prediction 1: Wolfsburg Have Goal Scoring Ability

Germany, Bundesliga, Sunday, December 22nd, 16:30 (UK)

Wolfsburg’s clash with Dortmund is set to be one of the more entertaining encounters in Germany this weekend. Ralph Hassenhuttl’s men have scored 13 times and conceded 15 in seven matches at Volkswagen Arena. The hosts have found the back of the net in every game except one this term. Their only shutout arrived at St. Pauli in October. Wolfsburg have managed three clean sheets, with one at this venue. 

Borussia Dortmund’s home and away record is different. When playing at Signal Iduna Park, they’re excellent. Nuri Sahin’s men have accumulated 20 points from a possible 24 in their iconic stadium. Things are not quite right when they’re on the road. Dortmund have earned just two points in six away days in the Bundesliga. Only rock-bottom Bochum has a lower point tally. 

Perhaps it was a surprise to see Dortmund as favourites, given that they’re winless away from home this season. After looking closer at the numbers, Wolfsburg ranks as the third-worst home side in the division. Their xGD/90 is -0.43. Only Kiel and Bochum have a worse figure. Dortmund struggles away from home. They boast a -0.59xGD/90. Just six sides rank below them.

We have two sides that struggle at home and away, respectively. Can we trust either to claim a result after looking at the numbers? I don’t think so. Both have their vulnerabilities. We can’t take away from Wolfsburg’s scoring record. No side has prevented them from finding the back of the net. Multiple strikes have come in four of seven matches at Volkswagen Arena. It’s the final round of 2024 in the Bundesliga before a three-week break. The home side will be eager to finish the year on a high.

Dortmund have shipped 13 goals in six matches. It’s a poor record. Mainz, Augsburg, Union and Stuttgart have all managed multiple goals. Four of their previous five opponents have racked up 1.1xG or greater. I would be shocked if they earned a clean sheet, it’s a rarity these days. Sahin’s men have managed three shutouts all season. Two have come home, and their only away day clean sheet came back in August.

I think it’s wise to lean towards the hosts. Scoring goals hasn’t been a problem. It’s the final home game of the calendar year. They scored four past Mainz in their previous encounter here, and it seems like they have all their attacking options available. 

Jonas Wind, Mohamed Amoura and Tiago Tomas scored 16 goals this term. The trio scored in that 4-3 win over Mainz a fortnight ago. Confidence levels should be relatively high as they welcome an out-of-favour Dortmund team who haven’t won in any of their previous four matches. Backing the home side to have joy in front of the goal looks like a sensible angle to consider.

• Wolfsburg vs Dortmund Prediction 1: Wolfsburg Over 1.5 Goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.25
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10 (TRACKED BET)

Wolfsburg vs Dortmund Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, December 18th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Wolfsburg vs Dortmund Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups: Key Dortmund Defenders Absent

The home side will be without several names. Aster Vranckx, Bartosz Bialek, Kevin Paredes, Lovro Majer, Niklas Klinger, Rogerio and Sebastiaan Bornauw will not play a part here. Those players suffer from hamstring, knee, ankle, wrist and calf injuries.

Nuri Sahin will not have Julian Brandt at his disposal. He is suffering from a hamstring problem. Ryerson is ill, whilst Sule is out until February with an ankle injury. Anton and Couto are not likely to feature for the visitors. There’s a handful of key defenders unavailable.

Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Rothwell, Billing; Semenyo, Traore, Anthony; Solanke

Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Maddison, Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son

Match OPTA Stats: Goals Galore For The Hosts

• Dortmund have earned two points away from home this season.
• 28 goals have arrived in seven matches at this venue this term.
• Wolfsburg have scored 15 goals in their previous five matches in all competitions.

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