Europe Champions League Round 6

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Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Borussia Dortmund:
Kobel; Wolf, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Sabitzer, Ozcan; Reus, Brandt, Bynoe-Gittens; Fullkrug

Paris Saint-Germain
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Hernandez; Lee, Ugarte, Vitinha; Barcola, Kolo Muani, Mbappe

Borussia Dortmund welcome Paris Saint-Germain to the Westfalenstadion in one of the most interesting matches of the group stage in the Champions League. The hosts are already qualified, but need a point to confirm the first place in the group. PSG, meanwhile, will go through to the round of 16 as group winners if they win here. The French Champions will also go through to the round of 16 as group runners-up if they draw and Newcastle do not beat Milan. Even a defeat in Germany could be acceptable should Newcastle and Milan draw. Otherwise, Paris Saint-Germain will finish third and enter the Europa League knockout round play-offs. As You could see there are multiple scenarios, but it is clear we could expect an interesting match at the Westfalen.

Borussia Dortmund will like to finish first to avoid big names like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City... The problem is they are far from the desired form. Edin Terzic's men were first eliminated from the national cup after losing 2:0 to Stuttgart, while on Saturday suffered a 3:2 defeat to Red Bull Leipzig in Bundesliga. The match was virtually decided in the 15th minute when Mats Hummels received a red card. It was impossible the 10-men Borussia to remain competitive with fellow Champions League side like Leipzig. The players confidence is surely lower after two consecutive defeats and that's a big problem for Terzic. In addition, he has injury and suspension worries. Emre Can is banned, while Julian Ryerson, Youssoufa Moukoko, Sebastien Haller and Julian Duranville are all out injured. Marcel Sabitzer and Marius Wolf are rated as doubtful due to calf and hip injury respectively, while Thomas Meunier was not registered for the Champions League squad.

Paris Saint-Germain are dominant in France, but the Arab owners want more. The best players - Messi, Neymar and M'bappe - were brought in the last few years, but the Champions League trophy is still out of their hands. The current season is another chance for PSG, though a defeat here could mean an elimination. Coach Luis Enrique is feeling some pressure and could be sacked if his team suffer in Dortmund. The overall form is good, PSG are in series of two victories in Ligue 1. On Saturday they beat 2:1 Nantes and I believe the atmosphere in the squad is positive. Just like his counterpart, Enrique also has injury and suspension worries. Forward Ousmane Dembele must serve an one-match ban due to accumulated yellow cards. Bradley Barcola, who scored the opener versus Nantes at the weekend, is expected to deputize. Five more players remain sidelined - Nuno Mendes, Presnel Kimpembe, Fabian Ruiz, Keylor Navas and Sergio Rico.

Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain Prediction:

I expect an efficient match here. PSG are strong at home, but they are poor travelers - not since October 2020 have they recorded a clean sheet outside of the Parc des Princes in the competition. Dortmund need a point to confirm the first place in the group. But could You imagine Terzic to play catenaccio in front of full Westfalen? No chance, the fans will ask for a victory. PSG, meanwhile, need three points to secure the knock-out phase. Every other outcome means they depend from the result between Newcastle and Milan, something that could be named as "unwanted scenario" with big risk for the French Champions. According to me, both sides will go for the victory, so I expect an open and efficient match.

Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain Pick: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.58 with Pinnacle