Borussia Dortmund vs Manchester City

A top spot in Champions League Group G is up for grabs as Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City face each other at Signal Iduna Park.

Despite blowing hot and cold across their opening four Champions League matches (W2, D1, L1), Borussia Dortmund can still seize control in the group should they beat Man City by a multi-goal margin. A simple draw would lock down their knockout-stage berth as they aim to build on an abysmal five-game Champions League H2H record (W1, D1, L3). ‘Die Borussen’ have done a fine job turning Signal Iduna Park into a fortress, having lost only two of their last 14 home outings in the Champions League (W8, D4). Moreover, Edin Terzic’s men have won back-to-back domestic fixtures by 2+ goals ‘to nil’ in the run-up to this clash, including a 5-0 demolition of Stuttgart at the weekend. That should settle the nerves in the home camp ahead of Erling Haaland’s emotional return to Dortmund.

It’s uncertain whether Manchester City have the defensive resilience to become only the second side to shut Dortmund out across 21 Champions League games. Yet Pep Guardiola’s men are in a prime position to nail down a top-place finish in Group G, as they need a share of the spoils to do so with a game to spare. Playing against German clubs has been a happy hunting ground for the ‘Cityzens,’ as witnessed by their jaw-dropping 16-game form against such opponents in the Champions League (W14, D1, L1). That run includes three consecutive victories over Dortmund. But Man City’s patchy six-game form away from home (W2, D3, L1) may cast some doubt on their bid to make it four in a row, especially considering they’ve drawn a blank on their last two road trips (D1, L1).