Borussia Dortmund - Real Madrid predictions and free betting tips [01/06/2024]

On Saturday, 1 June, Borussia Dortmund will square off against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final. Edin Terzić's squad dispatched PSG in the previous round, while Carlo Ancelotti's side overcame Bayern Munich and are poised to lift the coveted trophy for the 15th time in their storied history.

Predicted Lineups

Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Sabitzer, Can; Sancho, Brandt, Adeyemi; Füllkrug.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius.

Stadium

The match will take place at Wembley Stadium in London.

Borussia Dortmund

The Dortmund outfit likely did not anticipate reaching the Champions League final this season. Edin Terzić's men pulled off a surprise by finishing first in a group with PSG, AC Milan, and Newcastle. They then overcame PSV Eindhoven (3-1 on aggregate) and dispatched Atlético Madrid (5-4 on aggregate). In the semi-final, Dortmund showed character and surprisingly defeated PSG (2-0 on aggregate), thanks largely to veteran Hummels, who was named the best player in both legs. Domestically, the Black and Yellows, unlike last season, quickly exited the title race but secured fifth position in the Bundesliga—enough to qualify for the next Champions League. Two weeks ago, the German giants concluded their national campaign with a 4-0 thrashing of struggling Darmstadt, a week after a 3-0 loss to Mainz.

Left-back Bensebaini arrived in Dortmund last summer but ultimately had a disappointing season due to injury since late March and will miss this match. The same applies to the promising 18-year-old Duranville, while Ivorian striker Haller has returned after missing the clash with PSG. Veteran Hummels will likely partner Schlotterbeck at the heart of defence, with the attacking quartet featuring Brandt (2 goals and 2 assists), Sancho, Adeyemi (2 goals), and Füllkrug (3 goals and 2 assists). Ten out of the eleven players who lined up against PSG in the semi-final were benched against Darmstadt, with the exception being Marco Reus who scored in his last Bundesliga match for Borussia.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid have an excellent opportunity to secure their 15th Champions League title. Undefeated in the group stage, Los Blancos comfortably topped Napoli, Braga, and Union Berlin. They had to work hard to edge past Leipzig (2-1 on aggregate) and then knocked out tournament favourites Manchester City (4-4, win on penalties). In the semi-final, Real Madrid triumphed over Bayern Munich courtesy of a late double from Joselu (4-3 on aggregate). In La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti's side outclassed all competitors, cruising to another title with just one defeat all season (against Atlético Madrid in late September), registering 29 wins and 8 draws. Nevertheless, in the closing rounds, Real Madrid were held to a goalless draw at home to Real Betis and previously drew 4-4 with Villarreal.

The capital giants have to cope without Austrian defender David Alaba and defensive midfielder Tchouameni, who has not yet recovered from injury. Camavinga is expected to deputise, alongside Valverde and Kroos. Jude Bellingham (4 goals and 4 assists in the Champions League), not frequently featured in the season's latter stages, remains a key figure for Los Blancos in attack. Brazilians Rodrygo (5 goals and 2 assists) and Vinicius (5 goals and 5 assists) will likely occupy the flanks, with the latter being a serious Ballon d'Or contender. Courtois, having recovered from a lengthy injury, is expected to resume his role as the first-choice goalkeeper, marking his first appearance in this season's Champions League. Andriy Lunin impressed in earlier rounds but was excluded from the squad for the final due to illness.

Head-to-Head

Since 2012, these two teams have met 10 times: Real Madrid leads with 4 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses.

Prediction for Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid

Having topped the group of death and staged upsets against Atlético and PSG, Edin Terzić's men do not see themselves as mere underdogs. Real Madrid's superiority by almost all metrics is evident, but one senses that the Spanish superclub has somewhat lost its edge after three weeks of low-motivation official fixtures. I'll back Borussia Dortmund with a +1.5 handicap.

Total Prediction

Both teams are unlikely to rush things on the pitch as both coaches are well aware of the danger posed by each other's counter-attacks. I'll go for a total goals under 3.