Thursday, March 29, 2012

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30.03. (Fri) 20:30 Borussia D. - Stuttgart

German Bundesliga: VfB Stuttgart - Borussia Dortmund, Mario Goetze, Shinji Okazaki
Bongarts


PROBABLE LINEUPS



DORTMUND



Weidenfeller
Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer
Bender, Gundogan
Kuba, Kagawa, Grosskreutz
Lewandowski

STUTTGART


Ulreich
Sakai, Tasci, Niedermeier, Boka
Kvist, Kuzmanovic
Harnik, Hajnal, Schieber
Ibisevic
Dortmund starlet Mario Gotze returned to training this week, but the 19-year-old is still far from being fit to start. Jakub 'Kuba' Blaszczykowski will retain his starting berth on the right flank.
In defensive midfield, Jurgen Klopp is tipped to give Ilkay Gundogan the nod, as the Turk has become a key player in the last two matches. The trainer will have a nearly full squad available, with only long-term casualty Julian Koch absent.
Vedad Ibisevic is set to return from suspension and could replace Cacau in the Stuttgart starting XI. Serdar Tasci is also expected to make his comeback following an injury lay-off, and will likely displace Maza.
Friday's match comes far too early for Khalid Boulahrouz and Shinji Okazaki, however, as the two are still recovering from knocks.


DID YOU KNOW?

  • Dortmund have not lost in the Bundesliga for 21 games. Their last defeat was on September 18, 2011.
  • The title holders have attracted a club record 80,460 average attendance at home games this season. The figure is 99.7 per cent of the full capacity of the Westfalenstadion.
  • In 10 appearances since the winter break, Shinji Kagawa has scored eight goals and made four assists.
  • Stuttgart have won four of their last five games, conceding just twice in the process.
  • After a strong start to the season, VfB sunk to 11th place before finding their form again. They now are seventh, one point away from fifth spot.
  • Vedad Ibisevic has found the net four times for the Swabians since his mid-season signing from Hoffenheim. Only Martin Harnik, Shinji Okazaki and Cacau have scored more for VfB.
Prediction
The Swabians have looked impressive at the back, and given their recent success, will be no push-overs. But Dortmund have won almost every game this spring, and are playing at home: they are clear favourites and should come out on top.
Editor's Prediction
Dortmund 1-0 VfB Stuttgart