For the first time in a UEFA competition, Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea face-off! The two will meet in the Champions League round of 16 at the Westfalenstadion, where Chelsea will look to improve their fortunes.
The hosts who were runners up in group G enroute to this stage are on a six match winning streak having registered a 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen on Saturday with goals coming from Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and in form Julian Brandt.
Dortmund will look to better their home run in this competition with only 4 losses in the last 21 home games although three of those coming at the hands of English opponents.
The die Schwarzgelben have struggled against English opposition as they have not won in their last 10 games in European competitions against English sides, registering 8 defeats and 2 draws.
The Bundesliga outfit last tasted victory against an English team in March 2016 when Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s brace inspired them to a 2-1 away victory over Tottenham in the Europa league.
They will be hoping to eliminate Chelsea as they seek to advance to the quarter finals for the third time in nine seasons.
Dortmund should be optimistic of victory as Chelsea make the trip to the Westfalenstadion with Graham Potter’s Job at stake having won only three of his last 14 games in charge.
The Blues last tasted victory mid last month, the win coming against Crystal Palace in the domestic league. They have drawn each of their last three games. It is this kind of form that has seen them seated tenth in the league, 10 points behind fourth placed Newcastle. This puts them at risk of not qualifying for this competition come next season.
After a shocking 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in their opening group stage game- a loss that led to the sacking of Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea, under Potter bounced back to top their group E enroute to this stage. They will be looking to continue with their fine form in the Champions League.
They have however, won only three duels against German opposition in their last 11 away meetings. They will bank on their available star signings in Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix rise to the occasion.
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Marius Wolf and Mateu Morey will sit this one out due to injuries while both Youssoufa Moukoko, Thomas Meunier are doubts.
The visitors have a string of injured players that include long time absentees N’Golo Kante, Christian Pulisic, Armando Broja, Eduoard Mendy, Wesley Fofana,Mateo kovacic, Denis Zakaria, and Raheem Sterling.
Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, David Datro Fofana,Andrey Santos are cup-tied.
