Borussia Dortmund - Newcastle United predictions and free betting tips [07/11/2023]

Today within the parameters of the 4th round of the Champions League group stage, Borussia Dortmund will host Newcastle on their field. Two weeks ago, Eddie Howe's charges suffered their first defeat in the European campaign, losing to the "bees" at St. James Park with a score of 0:1, so the return match will have significant importance from a tournament perspective. 

Predicted Lineups

Borussia: Kobel; Wolf, Hummels, Schlottterbek, Bensebaini; Nmecha, Ozcan, Sabitzer; Reus, Füllkrug, Adeyemi. 
Newcastle: Pope; Livramento, Schär, Lascelles, Trippier; Longstaff, Goncalves, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Gordon. 

Stadium

The match will take place in Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park. 

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund has somewhat slowed down on the European stage in recent years and has not achieved any significant results since it lost to Bayern Munich in the 2013 final. Nevertheless, the team remains a strong opponent for any top club. The hosts lost to PSG with a score of 2:0 at Parc des Princes in the first round of the current CL draw, but then drew at home against Milan (0:0) and defeated Newcastle at St. James Park (0:1) thanks to the sole goal from Felix Nmecha. Thus, the Germans have four points in this group, and a win on Tuesday will put them in first place depending on the result of the Parisians at San Siro. The hosts' confidence was not boosted by the crushing defeat from Bayern Munich last weekend (0:4). As a result, the black and yellows dropped to 4th place in the overall Bundesliga score, lagging behind the leader - Bayer Leverkusen - by 6 points. 

Borussia Dortmund's eight-match unbeaten streak in all competitions has ended, and the best way to redeem themselves in the eyes of the fans is to take 3 points against the Magpies. Emre Can, who missed Saturday's Klassiker due to injury, will be unavailable on Tuesday too. Thomas Meunier and Morey did not make the Borussia squad for the Champions League, but Julian Brandt (4 goals in the Bundesliga), a key figure in the attack, has returned to the lineup, unlike young Belgian Duranville (who has been injured for several weeks). This week, coach Edin Terzić will be able to use club legend Marco Reus (3 goals, 1 assist in the Bundesliga). The starting line-up should also feature Niklas Füllkrug (2 goals in the CL this season) and Dutchman Malen (3 goals). Also likely to be seen from the very start of the match are Adeyemi (6 goals, 5 assists last year), Aller, Sabitzer and young midfielder Felix Nmecha (who scored in the last round).

Newcastle

The Magpies were totally dominant 2 weeks ago against Borussia, and it's not surprising. After all, as mentioned above, they managed to overcome PSG at home (4:1), so they could have taken first place. But under pouring rain, the Magpies unexpectedly lost at home (0:1) - the finishing let them down. This defeat ended a fine run of eight matches without defeat in all competitions and six victories. Last week, the English team bolstered their confidence by thrashing Manchester United in the League Cup (0:3), and then on Saturday evening they defeated Arsenal (1:0) thanks to a highly controversial goal from Anthony Gordon. Having scored 20 points in 11 rounds, Eddie Howe's team is in 6th place in the Premier League standings. Terminating a 20-year streak without away victories in the Champions League is the next priority task for the visitors. 

Alexander Isak (6 goals in the Premier League), a superb central striker, suffered an injury 2 weeks ago and is still recovering. Thus, the list of absentees is joined by Harvey Barnes (transferred from Leicester), Sven Botman (defender), and Lewis Maly. In addition, it is expected that midfielders Anderson and Murphy, defenders Manquillo and Targett, as well as left back Bern, who was injured in Saturday's match against Arsenal, will not play. The Magpies have a genuinely quality squad, but they will have to do without their summer signing Tonali (suspended for half a year in connection with a gambling scandal). On the other hand, Howe can count on Goncalves, Almiron and Callum Wilson (5 goals). 

Head-to-Head

The match from two weeks ago was the first in the history of confrontations between the two clubs, and it was Borussia Dortmund that emerged victorious (0:1). 

Match prediction Borussia - Newcastle

In a group that is rightfully considered the most challenging, any team that loses at home in the fourth round is likely to significantly reduce their chances of advancing to the 1/8 finals. Stung by the Munich side over the weekend, Borussia will do everything possible to redeem themselves in the eyes of the fans - especially since Newcastle is suffering from staff losses. I'm going to take a risk and bet on a victory for the "bees" with a 0 handicap.