Match Preview: Borussia Dortmund Face SC Paderborn in the DFB Pokal

It’s Cup time again!

Borussia Dortmund got back to winning ways this past weekend in the Bundesliga after a run of three matches in six days that saw the team drop 8 points. Tomorrow’s match presents Die Schwarzgelben with an opportunity to continue momentum from the victory over FC Augsburg, as SC Paderborn from the 2.Bundesliga visit the Signal Iduna Park for a round of 16 DFB Pokale tie. BVB do not have a lot of options as far as fielding the squad, but that doesn’t seem to bother Edin Terzic as he doesn’t seem to rotate very often anyway, although I predict a couple changes to the team tomorrow. I wouldn’t expect too many as this competition arguably gives Dortmund the best chance for silverware this year as the Bundesliga seems to have already gotten away from us and the quality in the UEFA Champions League just seems a bit too much for this team to handle right now.

Paderborn will arrive for this fixture having dispatched Union Berlin 2-3 away from home in the second round which followed their 0-5 win over SC Wiedenbruck in the opening matchday. Unfortunately, Paderborn haven’t been nearly as good in the league as they sit in ninth place and are coming off a 3-1 loss at the Volksparkstadion against 2.Bundesliga leaders Hamburger SV. In their six matches since the restart, Paderborn have produced a mixed bag with 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses which makes now a pretty good time to play the lower league club.

How will BVB lineup?

buildlineup.com

I could see Terzic dropping Raphael Guerreiro for Nico Schulz, which would be not based on form because he was terrific against Augsburg, but just to give him a rest as he’s played a ton of minutes this year. The rest of the back line will have to stay as is because of injuries, which includes Marvin Hitz retaining his position in goal as Roman Burki is still out injured with a shoulder problem. Marco Reus may also be put on the bench just to get a breather and that would afford Terzic to bring Jude Bellingham back into the lineup pushing Julian Brandt forward as he looks to be finding his form, and give another start to Giovanni Reyna who is in desperate need of confidence again. Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland will also continue in the attack most likely, but questions will remain over who takes penalties, and who wears the Captain’s armband for Tuesday’s match.

Prediction

Dortmund need to come away with a comprehensive win here. Paderborn will come to play as they did in the league last season, but they do not possess the quality that BVB have and this will hopefully be just another stepping stone on the way to silverware this season.