After bouncing back to winning ways in the 3-0 win away at Union Berlin, Borussia Dortmund will be looking to maintain pressure on league leaders Bayern Munich when they face Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga on Sunday at 17:30GMT.
Match Preview
Can Dortmund Find the Elusive Consistency to Challenge Bayern for the Title?
After the 5-2 defeat to Leverkusen halted their three-match winning run, Dortmund bounced back with a convincing 3-0 triumph over Union Berlin last Friday. They will be looking to keep this form going in the clash with Mönchengladbach.
After league leaders Bayern faltered in recent weeks, with two defeats in the last six rounds of fixtures, there is life in the Bundesliga race this season.
This dynamic is placing considerable significance on Dortmund’s results, and a win will be the only acceptable result in the clash with Mönchengladbach on Sunday to maintain pressure on the Bavarians at the top of the Bundesliga table.
Will Mönchengladbach Extend Their Unbeaten Run to Three Matches in the Bundesliga?
Mönchengladbach’s form has been a stop-start in recent weeks. Over the last six rounds of Bundesliga outings, Mönchengladbach have collected just 8 points from the available 18.
In this run, they have won just two matches, while drawing two and losing two.
Away from home, Mönchengladbach have only won once in the last six outings, with the rest of the results comprising three draws and two draws. In this run, Mönchengladbach collected just six points and dropped 12.
Form Guide
Borussia Dortmund
Marco Rose’s side have kept their form with the best of Bundesliga in the last six rounds of fixtures. In this run, they have collected 12 points out of the available 18.
Dortmund have won four and lost two during the period, which means that this return is only bettered by Leverkusen’s 13-point haul in the last six Bundesliga outings.
The two defeats in the last six outings mean that the gap to the league leaders Bayern Munich stands at six points. Rose’s men will need to be more ruthless and consistent to stand a chance of overhauling Bayern for the title.
Mönchengladbach
Mönchengladbach are unbeaten in the last two matches; they have won one and drawn one. However, analysis of their last six outings shows a stop-start record in their Bundesliga campaign.
In this run, they have won two, drawn two, and lost two, collecting 8 points and dropping 10. Away from home, Mönchengladbach have won just one match over the last six outings; the rest of the results comprise three draws and two losses.
Team News
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund will be without left-back Marcel Schmelzer (knee surgery), right-back Mateu Morey Bauza (injury to the cruciate ligament) and defensive midfielder Abdoulaye Kamara (ankle injury).
Star striker Erling Haaland has also been having muscular problems since January 23rd, which means he is a major doubt for the Mönchengladbach match.
Right-back Thomas Meunier (knock) and attacking midfielder Giovanni Reyna (illness) are also doubts for the match.
Mönchengladbach
Ahead of the clash with Borussia Dortmund, attacking midfielder Lars Stindle and centre-back Mamadou Doucoure, will be missing from the squad on Sunday.
The 33-year-old Stindle is nursing a medial collateral ligament injury. The 23-year-old Doucoure is facing muscular problems keeping him from fitness.
Possible Starting Lineups
Borussia Dortmund
Kobel; R. Guerreiro, D. Zagadou, M. Hummels, M. Akanji; J. Bellingham, A. Witsel, M. Dahoud; M. Reus, D. Malen, J. Brandt
Mönchengladbach
Sommer, M. Ginter, M. Friedrich, N. Elvedi; S. Lainer, K. Kone, F. Neuhaus, R. Bensebaini; J. Hofman, A. Plea; B. Embolo
Players to Watch
M. Reus
The German forward has been crucial in filling the hole left behind by Erling Haaland when he is not fit to play.
Reus’ goals and attacking play are central in driving Dortmund’s energy and verve going forward.
B. Embolo
The striker will be crucial for Mönchengladbach against Dortmund because he will offer an outlet and physical presence upfront.
Embolo’s pace and mobility are essential in creating dangerous situations. He will be instrumental for Mönchengladbach on Sunday against Dortmund.
Prediction
Expect Dortmund to dictate the tempo of the game through possession play and pressing across the pitch. Mönchengladbach will look to be disciplined and pragmatic, and pose a danger in transition.
Borussia Dortmund will keep up the pressure on Bayern by winning the match and taking all three points.
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