Predicted Borussia Dortmund lineup for RB Leipzig clash as injury concerns mount
By Tushar Bahl
Borussia Dortmund will hope to put an end to their two-game winless run as they go up against RB Leipzig in this weekend's Bundesliga topspiel.
It is the perfect storm right now for Borussia Dortmund, with back-to-back disappointing results combined with an injury crisis leaving the team in a precarious position ahead of their Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig on Saturday.
The Black and Yellows in desperate need of a statement performance and result, and will hope to achieve that against RB Leipzig, who have also struggled for consistency this season.
Borussia Dortmund will have to make do without Julian Ryerson and Youssoufa Moukoko on Saturday after they picked up injuries during the DFB-Pokal tie against Stuttgart. Sebastien Haller, Felix Nmecha, and Julien Duranville are also sidelined. While Marius Wolf and Marcel Sabitzer are injury doubts.
Here we take a look at how Borussia Dortmund could line up for their Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig.
Gregor Kobel will start in goal on Saturday for what could well be another tough assignment. He will hope that the players in front of him can finally step up this weekend.
Niklas Süle has recovered from his illness and could return to the starting XI at right-back. Thomas Meunier could also be an option for the role after coming off the bench for his first appearance of the season last weekend. Ramy Bensebaini is set to start at left-back for Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
There will likely be no rest for Mats Hummels or Nico Schlotterbeck, with the duo set to continue their partnership in the heart of defence. It will be interesting to see if Edin Terzic decides to continue with the back three experiment that did not work against Stuttgart.
Emre Can could return to his more natural midfield role, having featured in the back three on Wednesday. Salih Özcan could also feature unless Marcel Sabitzer manages to recover in time to start against his former club.
Julian Brandt will likely complete the midfield three for Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, and will hope to deliver a much improved performance.
In attack, Marco Reus will look to return to the starting XI after coming off the bench against Stuttgart. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens appears to be in line for a fourth straight start, while Karim Adeyemi could also be an option despite his struggles on Wednesday.
Niclas Füllkrug will start up front for Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, with Paris Brunner set to start on the bench.
Predicted Borussia Dortmund vs RB Leipzig: Kobel - Süle, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini - Özcan, Can, Brandt - Reus, Bynoe-Gittens - Füllkrug
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