Borussia Dortmund vs. Lille: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

This game should be a fairly even tie, but crucially, the two sides look like they're on quite different trajectories. Dortmund are coming into this game at arguably their strongest point of the campaign, while Lille have been stuttering a bit of late.

Lille are also set to be without winger Edon Zhegrova, who is one of the team's most impactful players, which will likely make things much tougher for them. We do, then, think the wind will be in the sails of the home side here. Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Lille.

Two evenly matched sides face off in the Champions League last 16 this week as Borussia Dortmund take on Lille.

• Date: 04/03/2025
• Kick-off time: 20:00
• Location: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund , last year's finalists, are looking to make another dint in the Champions League as they find themselves with a very winnable draw. Dortmund missed out on a top eight finish but they've been very fortunate with their draw, avoiding one of Europe's big hitters. That's not to disrespect Lille, who will feel similarly lucky to be playing Dortmund rather than some of the other options.

In the playoff round, Dortmund took on Portuguese giants Sporting CP, and in what was expected to be an even tie, they won fairly emphatically, accumulating a 3-0 aggregate scoreline over the two legs. The advantage that Dortmund have over other 'B tier' European clubs is that they're exceptionally experienced in Europe. Aside from winning the competition in 1997, the Germans have made two Champions League finals in the last 12 years while also reaching three quarter-finals in that period. Compared to clubs like Sporting and Lille, that's significant pedigree.

Dortmund have the disadvantage of having to play away from home in the second leg, so they'll be hoping that the yellow wall spur them on to claim a sizeable first leg lead. They won pretty comfortably in Lisbon in the playoff round, but Lille will likely prove a much sterner test.

Lille had a fine group stage in the Champions League, finishing 7th in the table and qualifying automatically for the knockout stage. The French club picked up some excellent wins in the group phase - including wins against both Madrid clubs - and looked very comfortable at the level.

Lille's domestic season has not been quite so smooth, as they come into this game 5th in the table with a very inconsistent record. They've by no means been bad, but they'll feel as though they've missed a chance to assert themselves as one of the top three teams in the league amidst a group of very volatile rivals.

Lille have some very impressive talent, most notably striker Jonatah Davies, who has 19 goals in all competitions this season, and winger Edon Zhegrova, who is highly courted by big clubs across Europe. If they are going to progress from this tie, then those names will have to be at the top of their game.

If Lille can keep the scoreline close here then they'll fancy their chances of sealing the tie in France. Even a tight defeat wouldn't be the worst result, but if they can get a draw, they'll be in a really strong position.

This game will be televised live to all subscribed UK viewers on TNT Sports 2.

Borussia Dortmund Team News:

Felix Nmecha and Filippo Mane will both be absent for the home side, while Julian Ryerson is a doubt at right-back.

Jamie Gittens started on the bench at the weekend but will hope to come back into the starting XI here.

Predicted lineup: Kobel; Couto, Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Sabitzer, Gross; Adeyemi, Brandt, Gittens; Guirassy.

Lille Team News

The visitors will be without Tiago Santos, Samuel Umtiti, both of whom are out injured, while Edon Zhegrova is likely to miss the first leg with a muscle injury.

Midfielder Nabil Bentaleb is also ineligible, meaning Lille have a fairly significant absentee list.

Predicted lineup: Chevalier; Meunier, Diakite, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson; Andre, Bouaddi; Haraldsson, Angel Gomes, Bakker; David.

Borussia Dortmund:

The home side are in decent form, as they enter this game with three wins, one draw and one loss from their last five. At the weekend, goals from Guirassy and Adeyemi saw them cruise to a 2-0 win against St. Pauli, a result that followed a 6-0 win over Union Berlin thanks to four goals from Guirassy and a goal from Beier - on top of an own goal.

Before that, Dortmunf drew 0-0 with Sporting CP, which came after a 2-0 defeat to Bochum and a 3-0 win away at Sporting, through goals from Guirassy, Groß and Adeyemi.

Lille:

Lille are in a mixed run of form, with the Ligue 1 club having won two and lost three of their last five games. At the weekend, Lille were beaten 4-1 by PSG, which was preceded by a 2-1 win over Monaco - thanks to a brace from Hákon Haraldsson - and a 2-0 win over Rennes, courtesy of goals from Nabil Bentaleb and Chuba Akpom.

Prior to that, Lille were beaten 1-2 by Le Havre after losing on penalties to Dunkerque in the Coup de France.

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