Borussia Dortmund will host high flying Werder Bremen in a must win encounter this weekend, as the final matchday in the Bundesliga gets underway on Saturday afternoon. The Black and Yellows currently stand in third place but lead fourth placed Hoffenheim by a slender goal difference. However, anything less than a win will open up the opportunity for Hoffenheim to seal the third position and get a direct qualification to the Champions League. Here is the predicted 4-2-3-1 lineup for Thomas Tuchel’s men ahead of their clash with Werder this weekend.
Goalkeeper: Roman Burki will be the man between the sticks for Dortmund. The Swiss goalkeeper has kept only nine clean sheets this season. And it won’t be easy to keep a clean slate against Werder either.
Right Back: Highly experienced Lukasz Piszczek will start on the right side in the Dortmund defence. The Polish International is vital in this Dortmund lineup and he will be tasked with the responsibility to stop the dangerous Bremen wingers.
Centre Back((R): Sokratis Papastathopoulos’ leadership at the back has kept the Dortmund defence somehow ticking. This time, he will look to keep a shutout against his former club.
Centre Back(L): Although Marc Bartra has returned to the squad after his injury few weeks ago, Matthias Ginter is still the favourite to start alongside Sokratis in the central defence.
Left Back: Marcel Schmelzer has been in terrific form of late. The 29 year old becomes essential on the left flank, linking up with the likes of Marco Reus and Raphael Guerreiro in particular. He is a decent defender as well.
Central Defensive Midfielder: Julian Weigl’s unfortunate injury last week, will pave the way for Sebastian Rode to start in central defensive midfield for the home side. The former Bayern Munich midfielder has been a flop for Dortmund after arriving at the club at the start of this season.
Central Defensive Midfielder: Gonzalo Castro is all set to make a comeback into the starting lineup after a niggle ruled him out last weekend. The former Leverkusen midfielder has proved to be vital for Thomas Tuchel in midfield in the last few matches.
Right Wing: Christian Pulisic might start ahead of Ousmane Dembele this week, as the latter has clearly struggled with consistency of late. While it has been a breakthrough season for the American wonderkid, who will be looking to once again use his abilities to dismantle the opposition defence.
Central Attacking Midfielder: Marco Reus is surely a certain starter against Bremen this week. The 27-year old has proved his importance for Dortmund after coming back from a long injury layoff. He will be looking to score more goals, as he looks to guide his side safely to the Champions League.
Left Wing: Raphael Guerreiro will start as the left winger against Bremen. The Portuguese new signing has been a handy player for Thomas Tuchel this season. His technical abilities lends Dortmund a greater advantage in the final third.
Striker: Gabonese frontman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will desperately seek his first ever top goal scorer crown as he trails Robert Lewandowski by just one goal.
