Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund: prediction & betting odds 22 October 2024

In the third round of the Champions League group stage, Real Madrid host Borussia Dortmund. All signs point to this being a clash between two struggling giants, each with a host of injuries and problems during games.

Real Madrid

Real are facing a major problem due to Daniel Carvajal's absence, but there is a positive aspect for the team: after a three-game dry spell, Vinícius Jr. has remembered how to score, netting against Villarreal and Celta Vigo. Interestingly, in the June final against Borussia Dortmund, the Brazilian also found the net, and all three of his recent goals closed out the scoring in their respective matches, effectively sealing the result.

 Real Madrid’s Last 5 Matches

Despite Real Madrid's problems during matches and Carlo Ancelotti's intense reactions at halftime, the bookmakers still view them favorably and continue to give them strong odds. In the Champions League, offering long odds on the Spanish side is frowned upon, especially given their affinity for this tournament. Even against the group stage leader, the odds for a Real Madrid win remain modest.

Borussia Dortmund

No team does more for the Bundesliga's prestige right now than Borussia Dortmund. In Europe, they've demolished Belgium's champions, Club Brugge (3:0), and Scotland's champions, Celtic (7:1), yet stumbled against mid-table Bundesliga teams like Union Berlin (1:2) and Stuttgart (1:5). Thus, demonstrating the league's strength. Bookmakers understand the nature of Dortmund’s group stage lead and are offering high odds on them. Yes, they are recent finalists and group leaders, but given their inconsistency, a win at such odds seems justified. Plus, they'll miss injured Giovanni Reyna and Karim Adeyemi in attack, relying entirely on Serhou Guirassy, who squandered numerous chances in their recent match against St. Pauli (2:1).

Borussia Dortmund’s Last 5 Matches

In the last five fixtures involving Borussia Dortmund, three featured penalties: twice for Borussia and once against. In their Champions League campaign, penalties were awarded to both Club Brugge and Celtic. Considering that neither team is likely to play defensively, another penalty seems plausible in the upcoming match.

Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund Prediction

The league tables tell an amusing story: Real Madrid are second in La Liga but languish in 17th in their beloved tournament, while Borussia Dortmund sit seventh in the Bundesliga yet lead the pack in the premier European competition. One can sympathize with the inexperienced Nuri Sahin, who couldn’t bring Club Brugge and Celtic to Germany due to stern Bundesliga bosses.

Similarly, pity should be extended to Carlo Ancelotti; things were going so well, but one German decided to switch to media football, leaving the midfield without its omniscient playmaker. A replacement is yet to be found, and adding to the chaos, there’s a €180 million Cristiano Ronaldo fan who must be integrated into the tactics. This lively atmosphere often spills onto the pitch, delighting fans with plenty of goals.

We anticipate another entertaining encounter in their head-to-head, with at least a total over 2.5.