Borussia Dortmund vs Arminia Bielefeld

Borussia Dortmund’s hopes of ending Bayern Munich’s decade-long reign of the Bundesliga face a seemingly straightforward task as they welcome Arminia Bielefeld to Signal Iduna Park.

After a Covid-19 outbreak forced the postponement of their last weekend’s trip to Mainz, Borussia Dortmund returns to Bundesliga action keen to extend their three-game unbeaten league form (W2, D1). ‘Die Borussen’ put six unanswered goals past Borussia Monchengladbach in their most recent Bundesliga outing at Signal Iduna Park, making it three wins from their last four top-flight home matches (L1). A victory over relegation-threatened Arminia Bielefeld looks like a formality, especially considering Dortmund have won all four previous Bundesliga H2Hs, including a 3-1 triumph in the reverse fixture back in October. Marco Rose’s men have scored a league-high 39 goals after 12 home league matches this Bundesliga season (3.25 on average), highlighting the potential for another thumping victory in front of the famous ‘Yellow Wall.’

On the other hand, back-to-back defeats to Augsburg and Bayer Leverkusen without scoring have dented Arminia Bielefeld’s hopes of avoiding relegation this season. The visitors come into this matchday a mere two points clear of the dreaded relegation play-off spot, having lost both previous Bundesliga away matches by an aggregate score of 5-0. Another tricky travel is well on the cards, with Bielefeld suffering three consecutive top-flight defeats away to Dortmund by a humiliating aggregate score of 15-1! Any hope of avoiding another similar scenario will depend on a fast start, given that ‘Die Arminen’ have won just two points from eight Bundesliga away matches in which they conceded the opening goal this season (D2, L6). With only Bochum (3) scoring fewer first-half away goals than Bielefeld (5) this Bundesliga campaign, that prospect looks a bit far-fetched.