Predicted Borussia Dortmund lineup for Heidenheim clash
By Tushar Bahl
Borussia Dortmund will be sweating on the fitness of a number of key players for their trip to Heidenheim on Friday evening.
Matchday 20 of the Bundesliga season sees Borussia Dortmund make the trip to Heidenheim. The Black and Yellows will hope to continue their impressive run of form, but have a number of injury and illness concerns ahead of Friday's game.
Jadon Sancho is a doubt due to adductor problems, while Marco Reus, Julian Brandt and Gregor Kobel are all dealing with illness. Emre Can and Mats Hummels could come into the starting XI, while Ramy Bensebaini will hope to make his return to the squad following Algeria's elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Kobel has been suffering from an ear infection, so second-choice goalkeeper Alexander Meyer could line up between the sticks for the second game running.
Thomas Meunier will likely keep his place at right-back, with Ian Maatsen set to start at left-back as he looks to build on his impressive start to life at Borussia Dortmund. Mats Hummels will hope to return to the starting XI after coming off the bench last weekend. He could replace Niklas Süle, with Nico Schlotterbeck expected to keep his place in the side.
Emre Can could start in the number six role in place of Salih Özcan, who has endured a rough start to 2024. Marcel Sabitzer impressed against Bochum last weekend and should start in the number eight role.
Borussia Dortmund's personnel crisis could prompt Edin Terzic to stick with the 4-2-4 formation that worked well last weekend. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens could replace Jadon Sancho in the starting XI if the latter cannot shake off his muscle injury in time. Donyell Malen will also start in the front four down the right wing.
Niclas Füllkrug scored a hat-trick last weekend and will hope to add to his tally against Heidenheim. Youssoufa Moukoko could get another opportunity in the starting XI after putting in a lively performance against Bochum.
Expected Borussia Dortmund lineup vs Heidenheim: Meyer - Meunier, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen - Can, Sabitzer - Malen, Bynoe-Gittens - Füllkrug, Moukoko
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