Match Preview: Real Madrid vs Dortmund at 02:00 on October 23 in the Champions League Group Stage
Analysis of Real Madrid vs Dortmund Form
In their most recent UEFA Champions League match, Real Madrid suffered a surprising 0-1 defeat against Lille, conceding a penalty scored by Jonathan David. However, this seems to be just a minor setback. Ignoring that loss, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad remains unbeaten in their last 13 matches.
Returning to the Bernabeu for their third group stage game against Dortmund, Real Madrid is eager for a victory—not just to redeem themselves in front of their home fans, but also to improve their current standing in the group, where they sit at an unacceptable 17th position.
The Bernabeu will serve as a solid foundation for Ancelotti’s men to achieve their goals. It’s worth noting that Real Madrid has been dominant at home, remaining unbeaten in their last 20 matches there with a record of 16 wins and 4 draws, the latest being a 2-0 victory against Villarreal.
While Dortmund has won both of their opening matches in the Champions League, their chances against Ancelotti’s side appear slim. Historical performance indicates Real Madrid’s superiority at the Bernabeu, where they have secured 4 wins and 2 draws in their last 6 encounters against Dortmund.
Dortmund’s away form has been concerning, highlighted by their recent 1-5 loss at Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. Compounding their troubles, the team faces significant injury issues, making it difficult for them to create an upset in Madrid, especially against a club known for its resilience in the UEFA Champions League and its record number of titles.
Latest Team News for Real Madrid vs Dortmund
Real Madrid will miss three players due to injury: defender David Alaba, midfielder Brahim Diaz, and right-back Dani Carvajal. The home side is expected to field a strong attacking lineup featuring Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Kylian Mbappe.
On the other hand, Dortmund is also missing key players, with winger Karim-David Adeyemi the latest casualty. They have previously lost Julien Duranville, Giovanni Reyna, and Yan Couto, and the availability of Pascal Gross and Niklas Sule remains uncertain until the last moment.
Projected Lineups for Real Madrid vs Dortmund
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Bellingham, Tchouameni, Valverde; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.
Dortmund (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Can, Sabitzer; Malen, Brandt, Gittens; Guirassy.
Betting Odds for Real Madrid vs Dortmund
- Over 1.5 Goals in the First Half: In 7 of the last 11 encounters between these teams, there have been at least 2 goals in the first half. Additionally, 4 of Dortmund’s last 5 matches have also featured a minimum of 2 goals in the first half.
- Both Teams to Score: Both teams have scored in 4 of the last 5 meetings. Real Madrid has found the net in 14 of their last 15 matches, while Dortmund has scored in all 7 of their most recent games.
- Over 5 Corners in the First Half: In 7 of Real Madrid’s last 9 matches, there have been at least 5 corners in the first half. Similarly, 5 of Dortmund’s last 6 matches have seen a minimum of 5 corners awarded in the first half. The last encounter between these two teams followed suit.
Real Madrid is likely to secure a 3-1 victory, with the first half potentially seeing a flurry of corner kicks.