MX23RW : Wednesday, December 16 14:25:25| >> :120:8391:8391:
Dec 2, 2020 at 8pm UK at Signal-Iduna-Park
DortmundBorussia Dortmund
1-1
LazioLazio
Guerreiro (44')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Immobile (67' pen.)

Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs. Lazio - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Champions League clash between Borussia Dortmund and Lazio, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Borussia Dortmund host Lazio in the Champions League on Wednesday, with the German side assured of qualification to the knockout stages for a third successive season should they avoid defeat.

Lazio, meanwhile, require a win to be certain of competing in the knockout stages for the first time since the 1999-00 campaign, but should Zenit St Petersburg beat Club Brugge in the other match in Group F, both Dortmund and the Italians will progress regardless of their result against each other.


Match preview

Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho celebrates scoring against Club Brugge in the Champions League on November 24, 2020© Reuters

Dortmund were hugely impressive in their second successive 3-0 victory over Brugge last week.

Erling Braut Haaland scored a brace to make it six goals for the Norwegian striker in only four days, with England international Jadon Sancho's sensational free kick adding gloss to the convincing win, moving them five points clear of their opponents in third place with only two matches remaining.

Having lost 2-1 at home to FC Koln in the Bundesliga at the weekend, Lucien Favre may be tempted into resting players against Lazio in order to focus on Saturday's trip to Eintracht Frankfurt.

However, it may be a case of wrapping up qualification and top spot in the group by beating their forthcoming opponents before that comes into the 63-year-old's thinking, especially having lost 3-1 to the Italians in the reverse fixture.

Lazio head coach Simone Inzaghi pictured on November 4, 2020© Reuters

Lazio were equally impressive in another 3-1 victory, with Ciro Immobile and Marco Parolo giving the Italians a commanding lead during the first half of last week's fixture against Zenit.

However, veteran striker Artem Dyzuba struck back to give the Russians hope, before Immobile sealed his side's victory with a brace, taking Lazio four points clear of Brugge in Group F with only two matches remaining.

Given they are competing in the group stages for the first time since the 2007-08 season, progressing to the knockout stages would be a tremendous achievement for Simone Inzaghi and his side, even if the Rome-based club were arguably handed a favourable group.

However, the former Italy international will not allow his players to get ahead of themselves, especially with a final matchday showdown with Brugge still to come. A first defeat in this season's competition at Dortmund on Wednesday would turn that last fixture into a decider for both teams if the Belgians avoid defeat to Zenit.

Borussia Dortmund Champions League form: LWWW
Borussia Dortmund form (all competitions): WWLWWL

Lazio Champions League form: WDDW
Lazio form (all competitions): WDDWWL


Team News

Lazio centre-back Luiz Felipe pictured in December 2019© Reuters

Favre has plenty of options to choose from against Lazio, with only Reinier (coronavirus) and Marcel Schmelzer (knee) ruled out of action for his side.

The Dortmund boss may be tempted to rest Haaland, with the 20-year-old requiring protection from physical overload, but will likely look to get the job done on Wednesday before making a string of changes against Zenit next week should his side manage to do so.

Inzaghi, meanwhile, is also missing two players in the shape of Luiz Felipe (ankle) and Vedat Muriqi (unknown).

Former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva was rested in Saturday's dismal 3-1 defeat at home to Udinese, with the Brazilian likely to come back into the starting XI in order to protect the back three and fellow former Liverpool player Pepe Reina.

Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Burki; Meunier, Akanji, Hummels, Guerreiro; Witsel, Dahoud; Sancho, Reus, Hazard; Haaland

Lazio possible starting lineup:
Reina; Patric, Hoedt, Acerbi; Lazzari, Parolo, Lucas, Alberto, Marusic; Immobile, Correa


SM words green background

We say: Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Lazio

We can envisage both sides posing each other problems in offensive areas, but ultimately Dortmund possess the more dangerous attackers and the more reliable defence.

Favre's side should have enough about them to get the job done and qualify as winners of the group, leaving Lazio looking over their shoulders at matters in Brugge.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


ID:424513:cQx

Who will win Wednesday's Champions League clash between Borussia Dortmund and Lazio?

Borussia Dortmund
73.8%
Draw
16.1%
Lazio
10.1%
535
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Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League on November 24, 2020
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen1174023101325
2Bayern MunichBayern1173135171824
3RB Leipzig117312391424
4Borussia DortmundDortmund127142516922
5Wolfsburg115601811721
6Union BerlinUnion Berlin124622517818
7Stuttgart124622619718
8Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach124622320318
9Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt122821922-314
10Hertha Berlin123451920-113
11Augsburg113441417-313
12Hoffenheim113351921-212
13Werder Bremen122551521-611
14Freiburg112541422-811
15FC Koln112451317-410
16Arminia Bielefeld11218822-147
17Mainz 05121381225-136
18Schalke 04Schalke11047833-254

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