Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid preview

October 23, 2012
By: Frank Beresford

Borussia need to show massive improvement from the derby defeat to Schalke if they want to win this match and edge closer to the knockout stages.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, are hoping to keep the 100% record and win at Signal-Iduna Park even if they face a major defensive crisis.

Following some under-par showings in last year’s Champions League campaign and somewhat slow start to the season, BVB were not exactly given big chances to progress from the group of death.

Jurgen Klopp’s side, nonetheless, recorded an opening victory over Ajax before completely outclassing City at Etihad, albeit taking just one point from the game.

However, while impressing on European stage, Borussia have experienced far too many problems in Bundesliga, with home defeat to arch rivals Schalke hardly a perfect introduction for the visit of mighty Real Madrid.

Even so, the hosts stand a good chance of hurting Real’s severely weakened defence, as witnessed by odds of 1.53 (8/15) offered at Stan James on both teams to score.

Jurgen Klopp faces a selection headache of his own with Jakub Blaszczykowski definitely out and Marcel Schmelzer and Ilkay Gundogan very doubtful.

The good news is that Mario Goetze has overcome an ankle problem and should find his place in the starting line-up.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Weidenfeller – Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Lowe – S. Bender, Kehl – Goetze, Reus, Perisic – Lewandowski.

Real Madrid may be flying high at the moment, but they have yet to end the barren run of 12 years without a win on German soil.

Beating Borussia at their Signal-Iduna Park was always going to be a difficult task, but the run of seven wins in last eight games should give los Blancos confidence before the trip to Dortmund.

Having been pretty convincing in the competition so far, Real Madrid are now 2.10 (11/10) with Ladbrokes to keep their 100% record.

After scoring 15 goals in 12 competitive games, Cristiano Ronaldo looks a good bet to score in Germany as well, at odds of 1.75 (3/4) offered at Sportingbet.

It is at the back where Real Madrid face severe problems with Marcelo, Coentrao and Arbeloa all ruled out for this game.

This basically means that Michael Essien will continue at left-back, while Sami Khedira returns to the side after recovering from a hamstring problem.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Casillas – Ramos, Varane, Pepe, Essien – Alonso, Khedira – Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo – Benzema.

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