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Match Preview: Can wounded Borussia Dortmund bounce back against Stuttgart?

By Oliver Campo

MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 31: Michy Batshuayi of Borussia Dortmund looks dejected during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Arena on March 31, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 31: Michy Batshuayi of Borussia Dortmund looks dejected during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Arena on March 31, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images) /
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After a brutal loss to Bayern in the previous week, Borussia Dortmund will face VFB Stuttgart on Sunday. Der BVB will be aiming to cement their spot in the top four.

Borussia Dortmund must secure a win against VFB Stuttgart, because of the three teams below BVB on the table. Stuttgart is making a late season push to finish top 6 in the Bundesliga. It creates an interesting atmosphere around The Yellow Wall, as European competition for next season hangs in the balance for both teams.

Match Information

Location: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany

Date: April 8th, 2018

Time: 1:30pm(GMT)/1:30pm(CET)

Form Guide

Borussia Dortmund
Last 5 matches: LWDWL

Last match: Borussia Dortmund 0 Bayern Munich 6

Analysis: The scoreline tells the story of this match. Burki was incapable of stopping the ball from going into the back of the net. Offensively speaking, Bayern ran rampant over BVB in Der Klassiker. Stöger needs to reinvent the team for the sake of the players if nothing else, they need to rebound from this loss.

VFB Stuttgart
Last 5 matches: WWWDW

Last match: VFB Stuttgart 1 Hamburger SV 1

Analysis: A decent run of form for the visitors. While the goals in this match came in the first half, the teams pushed hard in the second half. Both sides were unable to come up with a winner leaving both with just 1 point after all was said and done. Stuttgart being unable to find a finish could negatively impact as they go to the Signal Iduna Park to face Der BVB.

Opposition star man – Mario Gomez

BERLIN, GERMANY – MARCH 27: Mario Gomez of Germany looks on during the international friendly match between Germany and Brazil at Olympiastadion on March 27, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY – MARCH 27: Mario Gomez of Germany looks on during the international friendly match between Germany and Brazil at Olympiastadion on March 27, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

Mario Gomez came back to the Bundesliga in the winter transfer window. Since the team’s new coach took over, Stuttgart is unbeaten in 8 games. Gomez returning to his old club has been great news for the visitors. The 32-year-old German international is fighting for a spot on the trip to Russia this summer. With 6 goals and 2 assists in all competitions since returning to Stuttgart, the Borussia Dortmund defenders and Roman Burki can expect a busy Sunday.

Last Match – VfB Stuttgart 2 Borussia Dortmund 1

During the dismal run of Peter Bosz and his high-line, BVB failed to win at Stuttgart in the first match. Former defender Marc Bartra played a horrible back pass to Burki and Stuttgart took the opportunity to walk to ball into the back of the net. Akolo made it 1-0 from Stuttgart.

STUTTGART, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 17: Co-coach Albert Capellas of Dortmund, Christian Pulisic of Dortmund and translator Massimo Mariotti of Dortmund look on during the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund at Mercedes-Benz Arena on November 11, 2017 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images)
STUTTGART, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 17: Co-coach Albert Capellas of Dortmund, Christian Pulisic of Dortmund and translator Massimo Mariotti of Dortmund look on during the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund at Mercedes-Benz Arena on November 11, 2017 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images) /

Schurrle got lucky when Phillipp cleaned up a rebound from his missed penalty kick. Brekalo (who transferred to Wolfsburg recently) scored the game winner as Borussia Dortmund started a downward spiral in the Bundesliga.

Next: Talking points ahead of Borussia Dortmund vs Stuttgart

Possible lineups

Borussia Dortmund: Bürki, Piszczek, Akanji, Toprak, Schmelzer, Weigl, Dahoud, Philipp, Pulisic, Batshuayi, Schürrle

VfB Stuttgart: Zieler, Insua, Badstuber, Pavard, Beck, Aogo, Ascacibar, Thommy, Gentner, Gomez, Ginczek

Final Prediction – Borussia Dortmund 2 VfB Stuttgart 1

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