Dortmund vs Sturm Graz prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-11-04 20:00.
[p]Borussia Dortmund became the first side to beat RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga this season when they downed them 2-1 at the weekend. Even with that victory, Dortmund are still seven points off the title pace, but they’ve been ticking along nicely in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) with two wins from three games so far (L1), leaving them well-placed in the race for a top-eight finish.[/p]
[p]An injury crisis threatens to dent their chances when Sturm Graz come to town for a first-ever meeting in European competition. But even with a depleted squad, a 12-match unbeaten run in UCL home action (W8, D4) should be enough to inspire Dortmund belief, while a nine-game winning run in competitive home outings serves to justify their tag as heavy favourites. Â [/p]
[p]Sturm Graz are the latest side to try and leave Signal Iduna Park victorious, but having lost all three UCL games this season, the chances of that appear remote at best. In fact, those three games are part of a wider ten-match losing UCL run for Sturm, who appear to be well out of their depth at Europe’s top table, although domestically they do top the Austrian Bundesliga. [/p]
[p]They’ve actually won their last two away games in the Austrian top-flight by the same 2-1 scoreline, but repeating that feat on German soil will be a tricky task given they’ve never tasted victory on these shores (D1, L3). This is their first game against German opposition since 2005, but with just two wins from their last 14 European away matches (D3, L9), it’s hard to see them marking the occasion with a win. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Maximilian Beier scored and assisted for Dortmund at the weekend – his last seven club goals arrived before half-time. Sturm’s Erencan Yardımcı has seen his last seven club goals alternate between the second half and first half – he scored after the break at the weekend. [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Dortmund have scored 2+ goals in their last eight home matches. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Chris Wilson[/i][/p]