Chelsea London vs Borussia Dortmund Preview
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Borussia Dortmund will head to London this Tuesday evening with a 1-0 lead in the Champions League round of 16 as Chelsea look to make it to yet another quarter-final against one of Europe's best sides this season.
Since the World Cup, no side across the continent has been better than Dortmund. Now, after Napoli lost for a second time in 2023, just as sides such as Arsenal, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have all dropped points this calendar year, the Black and Yellow remain the most in-form side around right now.
After a fantastic 2-1 win over RB Leipzig in a top four battle in the Bundesliga on Friday night, Edin Terzić has now led his men to 10 wins in a row since action resumed in Germany. This has seen them move to level on points with Bayern Munich in Germany, make it to the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal and also get the edge over Chelsea in this two-legged Champions League affair.
Karim Adeyemi was the difference against the Blues last time out, as his sensational solo effort at Signal Iduna Park handed the German giants a huge advantage heading into this game.
The Blues did move back into the win column last time out, however, with Graham Potter's men registering their first victory in six games after a narrow 1-0 win over Leeds United where Wesley Fofana scored his first goal for the club after several months without any action.
Potter continues to struggle at the Chelsea helm, however, with the 1-0 win over Leeds being just his 10th from 27 games so far and this equals just a 37% win ratio in west London.
Chelsea are sitting 10th in the Premier League still, and as sides like Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion boast of games in hand over the Blues, there is little hope for them moving further up the table and making it into Europe for next season. Ultimately, it seems as if a spot in the Champions League for 2023/24 will only come if Chelsea can win the entire competition this campaign.
Marco Reus was the hero last Friday against Leipzig, as he netted from the spot before an Emre Can winner. A win here for Dortmund would put the Black and Yellow fans in dreamland, as they continue to fight on all three fronts.
Chelsea team news
Chelsea's poor form has been coupled with a lengthy injury list. Armando Broja is out for the season, but N'Golo Kante's long-awaited return to action will give Potter more options in midfield now, but he is another week away from being fit to play.
Edouard Mendy's injury means Kepa Arrizabalaga remains in goal, while Thiago Silva is out until April. Mason Mount, Reece James and Christian Pulisic are all nearing a return and will be assessed ahead of this one.
Borussia Dortmund team news
Youssoufa Moukoko is set to miss this one alongside Mateu Morey, while Abdoulaye Kamara, Donyell Malen and Julien Duranville are all out here and Dortmund are sweating over the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel.
The Blues did move back into the win column last time out, however, with Graham Potter's men registering their first victory in six games after a narrow 1-0 win over Leeds United where Wesley Fofana scored his first goal for the club after several months without any action.
Potter continues to struggle at the Chelsea helm, however, with the 1-0 win over Leeds being just his 10th from 27 games so far and this equals just a 37% win ratio in west London.
Chelsea are sitting 10th in the Premier League still, and as sides like Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion boast of games in hand over the Blues, there is little hope for them moving further up the table and making it into Europe for next season. Ultimately, it seems as if a spot in the Champions League for 2023/24 will only come if Chelsea can win the entire competition this campaign.
Chelsea's poor form has been coupled with a lengthy injury list. Armando Broja is out for the season, but N'Golo Kante's long-awaited return to action will give Potter more options in midfield now, but he is another week away from being fit to play.
Edouard Mendy's injury means Kepa Arrizabalaga remains in goal, while Thiago Silva is out until April. Mason Mount, Reece James and Christian Pulisic are all nearing a return and will be assessed ahead of this one.
After a fantastic 2-1 win over RB Leipzig in a top-four battle in the Bundesliga on Friday night, Edin Terzić has now led his men to 10 wins in a row since action resumed in Germany. This has seen them move to level on points with Bayern Munich in Germany, make it to the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal and also get the edge over Chelsea in this two-legged Champions League affair.
Karim Adeyemi was the difference against the Blues last time out, as his sensational solo effort at Signal Iduna Park handed the German giants a huge advantage heading into this game.
Youssoufa Moukoko is set to miss this one alongside Mateu Morey, while Abdoulaye Kamara, Donyell Malen and Julien Duranville are all out here and Dortmund are sweating over the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel.
