Dortmund host Chelsea at Westfalenstadion
The first-ever meeting between Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea takes place at Westfalenstadion on Wednesday night, as the two teams lock horns in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
BVB progressed to the knockout rounds after finishing second in Group G behind Manchester City, while the Blues navigated their way past AC Milan, Red Bull Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb to secure top spot in Group E.
Borussia Dortmund extended their winning run since the World Cup break to six matches across all competitions after securing a 2-0 Bundesliga victory away against Werder Bremen on Saturday.
Despite dominating proceedings, Edin Terzic‘s side were struggling to find an opening for over an hour, but it took just 69 seconds for 18-year-old substitute Jamie Bynoe-Gittens to break the deadlock with a thunderous strike on the 67-minute mark, before Julian Brandt sealed the victory five minutes from time.
Dortmund currently sit third in the Bundesliga table and remain in a hotly-contested race for the title, with only eight points separating the top six teams with 14 games remaining.
BVB will welcome a return to Westfalenstadion which has become somewhat of a fortress for the German outfit in the Champions League, as they have lost only four of their last 21 home matches in the competition; three of those defeats have been against English opposition, though.
Indeed, Dortmund have struggled against English teams over the years, failing to win any of their last 10 such games in European competition including eight defeats. Their last victory against an English side dates back to March 2016 when current Chelsea forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a brace in a 2-1 win away at Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League.
Despite winning only two of their six matches in the Champions League group stage earlier this season, Dortmund managed to finish above both Sevilla and Copenhagen to advance to the last 16, and they will now endeavour to beat an out-of-sorts Chelsea side over two legs as they bid to reach the quarter-finals for just the third time in the last nine seasons.
Despite winning only three of his last 14 games as Chelsea boss across all competitions, Graham Potter allegedly retains the full support of the club’s hierarchy, seemingly ending speculation that the 47-year-old could soon lose his job.
The Blues have won just one of their eight matches since the turn of the year and have drawn each of their last three Premier League fixtures including a 1-1 draw away at West Ham United on Saturday.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Club Brugge vs Benfica
Club Brugge welcome Benfica to the Jan Breydel Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.
While Scott Parker‘s side have failed to win each of their last seven home games across all competitions, Roger Schmidt‘s men are seeking to avoid back-to-back away matches without a win for the first time since December.
Club Brugge have been the surprise package in this season’s Champions League and they will be competing in the knockout rounds for the first time in their history after finishing second in Group B ahead of Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid.
After winning their first three group games, the Belgian giants failed to win their final three fixtures but they still managed to claim a top-two spot to advance with group winners Porto, keeping a tournament-high five clean sheets in the process.
Despite leading the club into the last 16, head coach Carl Hoefkens was relieved of his duties on December 28 after just six months in charge following a poor domestic run of form, with Scott Parker hired as his successor.
Parker is yet to spark a revival in the Brugge hotseat, though, drawing five of his first seven Belgian Pro League matches in charge including last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home against Union SG, and hopes of defending their top-flight title are now all but over as they sit 20 points behind leaders Genk.
Brugge, who have already been eliminated from the Belgian Cup, can now focus fully on their first-ever meeting with Benfica on Wednesday as they bid to continue their fairytale journey in the Champions League.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Arsenal looking to end worst-ever Premier League losing run against Man City
Arsenal will attempt to end their worst-ever losing run against Manchester City when they face the Premier League champions at the Emirates on Wednesday.
The Gunners are currently top of the Premier League table, but their title charge has slowed in recent weeks.
After being beaten 1-0 by relegation threatened Everton, Mikel Arteta‘s side had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their home meeting with Brentford on Saturday.
Man City failed to capitalise on Arsenal’s defeat to Everton – as they lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur – but they were not in the mood to make the same mistake twice.
The Citizens cruised to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, thanks to first half goals from Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez.
Pep Guardiola‘s side are now just two points behind Wednesday’s opponents, although Arsenal hold a game in hand over their title rivals.
The two sides met at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup fourth round last month – which Man City won 1-0 – but they are yet to face each other in the league this season.
Arsenal have lost their last 10 Premier League matches against Man City, representing their longest losing run against the same opponent in their league history.
The Gunners will be fully aware that an 11th defeat would allow the Citizens to move to the top of the table on goal difference.
Wednesday’s hosts have also lost their last six home matches against Man City, who now have the chance to become the first team to win seven straight away games against Arsenal.
However, Arsenal are one of two teams – alongside Champions League chasing Newcastle United – who are yet to lose a home league game this season.
The Gunners have claimed eight victories and two draws from their 10 Premier League home matches this term.
If the hosts can secure all three points on Wednesday, it will be the first time Arteta has won a league game against Man City – the only team he is yet to beat in the top flight.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
