The Matchday 7 encounter of the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Bologna (Italy) and Borussia Dortmund (Germany) will take place on January 21 at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium. Bologna vs. Borussia Dortmund: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (Netherlands)
Matches – 5 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 29;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.8;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 40%.
Predicted lineups for Bologna vs. Borussia Dortmund
Bologna (4-2-3-1): Lukasz Skorupski – Emil Holm, Sam Beukema, Charalampos Lykogiannis, Nicolo Casale – Remo Freuler, Nikola Moro – Dan Ndoye, Jens Odgaard, Riccardo Orsolini – Santiago Castro.
Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1): Gregor Kobel – Emre Can, Nico Schlotterbeck, Waldemar Anton, Julian Ryerson – Felix Nmecha, Marcel Sabitzer – Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Julian Brandt, Julien Duranville – Serhou Guirassy.
Bologna
Vincenzo Italiano's side drew 0-0 away to Benfica in the last round. As a result, Bologna's winless streak in the Champions League has extended to six matches (2 draws, 4 losses). Furthermore, the club still has only one goal in the group stage, the worst record among all teams. The Italians sit in 33rd place with two points but still have a chance to reach the playoffs; they need to win both remaining matches to advance to the next stage.
Midfielder Michel Aebischer will miss the game due to injury.
- No more than two goals have been scored in regular time in 5 of the team's last 6 Champions League matches.
- The club has conceded in the second half in 4 of the last 5 matches in this European competition.
- The Italians have failed to score in 5 of their last 6 Champions League matches.
Borussia Dortmund
Nuri Sahin's side suffered a 2-3 home defeat to Barcelona in the last round. This loss marked the team's second in the group stage, while they won the other four matches. The club has 12 points and sits in ninth place, just one point behind the top-8. Notably, the Germans have been prolific in front of goal, with 18 goals in the group stage, second only to Barcelona's 21.
Defender Niklas Süle will miss the match due to injury. Defender Ramy Bensebaini is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Additionally, forward Donyell Malen left the club during the winter transfer window.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 6 of their last 8 away matches in the Champions League (5 wins, 1 draw).
- At least three goals have been scored in 5 of the team's last 7 away matches in this European competition.
- The Germans have not conceded more than one goal in regular time in 6 of their last 8 away Champions League matches.
Bologna vs. Borussia Dortmund: Match Prediction
Bologna's debut season in the Champions League has been challenging, with the team struggling to collect points and only having a theoretical chance to reach the playoffs. However, Bologna deserves credit for fighting until the end in each match, losing by more than one goal only to two English clubs away. Moreover, before facing Borussia, the team delivered a solid performance against Inter in the domestic league, securing a 2-2 away draw.
Although Dortmund won two away matches in the group stage, these victories came against Club Brugge and Dinamo Zagreb, clubs not from Europe's top 5 leagues. In fact, in their last 11 away Champions League matches, Borussia has won by more than one goal only three times, and in 4 of their last 5 away matches against Italian clubs in this competition, the German team has lost.
I believe Vincenzo Italiano's side will put up a strong fight against Dortmund. My prediction: Bologna with a handicap (+1)
