Barcelona vs Dortmund: Preview and Betting Tips | UCL 2025

BVB have lost four of their 12 matches under new coach Niko Kovac. Blaugrana are unbeaten in 22 matches with 68 goals scored during that streak.

Match: Barcelona vs Dortmund
When: Wednesday, 09 April 2025, 21:00
Where: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys

Barcelona Form

Barcelona have not lost a match since late December. Their last 22 matches have seen 18 wins and four draws. They reached the quarter-finals by beating Benfica 4-2 on aggregate after winning 1-0 in Portugal and 3-1 at home. A crucial 4-2 win in La Liga at Atletico Madrid followed.

Barcelona beat Osasuna 3-0 and Girona 4-1 in straightforward league wins. A 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-finals second leg sent Hansi Flick’s side into the final. On Saturday, they dropped points in a 1-1 home draw vs Real Betis with 74% possession.

Barcelona Team News

Barcelona are set to be without four players due to injury. Marc-andre Ter Stegen is back in training but the goalkeeper is still a few weeks away from playing. Dani Olmo is out with a muscle injury and Marc Bernal will play no part.

Marc Casado is the other absentee in midfield. Raphinha was on the bench for the last match and will return to start this one. Iñigo Martinez is a slight doubt at the back whilst Andreas Christensen has finally returned from many months out injured.

Barcelona Motivation

Flick’s side are very attacking and always play on the front foot. That can leave them a bit open at the back in certain matches.

They will go all out to win this first leg. Barcelona won’t stop attacking even if they lead in the second half.

Dortmund Form

Dortmund have been very inconsistent since appointing Niko Kovac at the start of February. BVB have six wins, four losses and two draws under their new coach. They reached this stage with a 3-2 aggregate win over Lille in the round of 16. The first leg ended 1-1 in Germany.

After losing 1-0 at home to Augsburg in the Bundesliga, they went to France and beat Lille 2-1 in a dominant display with 3.06 xG produced. A 2-0 loss at RB Leipzig followed to highlight their mood swings. It’s two wins coming into this tie, beating Mainz 3-1 and Freiburg 4-1 away.

Dortmund Team News

Dortmund are without Marcel Sabitzer due to a knee injury and Nico Schlotterbeck is also ruled out. Niklas Sule is nearing a return from a bruised leg and could be on the bench here.   

Ramy Bensebaini was injured in the last match and a late fitness test will be required for the left back. Serhou Guirassy and Jamie Gittens are set to return to the XI after only featuring as substitutes against Freiburg.

Dortmund Motivation

Dortmund have nothing to lose in this tie. They’re major underdogs and won’t feel any pressure.

Kovac will look to be solid in this first leg, using his speedy wide players on the counter attack. A defeat by one goal would be a good result ahead of the return leg in Germany.

Key Stats

Barcelona have won 18 of their last 22 matches (4 draws, 0 losses)

Barcelona have won 8 of their last 10 home UCL matches (30 goals scored)

Barcelona’s Raphinha has scored 14 goals in his last 12 matches in this competition

Dortmund have lost 3 of their last 8 UCL away matches

Dortmund have scored 14 goals in their last 6 away matches in the Champions League

Verdict

The hosts are major favourites to win this tie. A home win with both sides scoring and Raphinha on target are all good routes to take for this match.

Best Bet: Barcelona win and both teams to score at 2.40
Alternate Bet: Barcelona to score Over 2.5 goals team goals at 1.80
Goalscorer Tip: Raphinha to score anytime at 2.10 or Raphinha to score 2 or more goals at 7.00