Borussia Dortmund welcome Chelsea to Signal Iduna Park in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2022-23 UEFA Champions League.
Dortmund qualified for this stage after they finished as Group G runners-up behind Manchester City, whilst Chelsea advanced into this round as Group E winners.
Team News
Youssoufa Moukoko is ruled out for Borussia Dortmund after he suffered an ankle injury in their Bundesliga win at Werder Bremen last weekend.
Thomas Meunier (muscle), Marius Wolf (shoulder), Mateu Morey and Abdoulaye Kamara (both knee) remain absent.
Chelsea could welcome defender, Kalidou Koulibaly back into contention after he recovered from illness, which ruled him out of their 1-1 Premier League draw at West Ham last weekend.
Wesley Fofana, Raheem Sterling (both knee), Denis Zakaria (quad) and Mateo Kovacic (calf) are doubtful and could face late fitness tests.
Edouard Mendy (finger), N’Golo Kante (hamstring), Christian Pulisic and Armando Broja (both knee) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Borussia Dortmund host Chelsea at 9pm CET (8pm GMT) at Signal Iduna Park, with the match broadcast live on BT Sport in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Borussia Dortmund’s first-ever competitive meeting against Chelsea.
- Dortmund have won just one of their last five home matches against English opposition (W1, D1, L3).
- Chelsea are unbeaten in four of their last six visits to Germany against German opposition in all UEFA competitions (W2, D2, L2).
- Jude Bellingham scored in two of Dortmund’s three group matches at home in this season’s competition (W1, D2).
- Chelsea kept just one clean sheet in their three away matches during the Group Stage (W2, L1), which came in a 2-0 win at AC Milan.
Prediction
Since returning from the World Cup break, Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in six matches with plenty of goalscorers across the pitch capable of causing serious issues for Chelsea, especially if they can get off on the front foot with their high-tempo quick moving style of attack.
Graham Potter’s Blues in turn will need to tighten up defensively after conceding a sloppy equaliser at West Ham last weekend and press if want to cut out Dortmund’s attacks, whilst their attack did look much better with plenty of creative attacking play but their final touch will be crucial here.
A goalless draw therefore would be a surprise but Chelsea haven’t exactly been firing on many cylinders since New Year, which could well give Dortmund the edge despite their poor home form against English clubs.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Chelsea
Result: Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Chelsea
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