Dortmund take on already-relegated Darmstadt in dead-rubber clash.
Borussia Dortmund vs
Darmstadt 98
After a stunning defeat to Mainz, Borussia Dortmund look to rebound against relegated Darmstadt as they close their league campaign and prepare for the UEFA Champions League final.
Borussia Dortmund
The weekend’s 3-0 defeat against Mainz not only left Dortmund stunned but also mathematically out of a 4th-place finish after Leipzig seized the spot following a 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen. With a fifth-place finish now confirmed, the Black & Yellows take on already-relegated Darmstadt, looking to return to winning ways.
Last weekend's defeat leaves Borussia Dortmund with two defeats in three games, just as many defeats as the Black & Yellows had suffered in their previous 16 matches in the top-flight. In what can be described as a relatively disappointing season league-wise, Dortmund, who finished 2nd last term, have 60 points. It remains their weakest league campaign in seven years.
While Darmstadt shouldn't be much of a problem, Dortmund will be looking to test their readiness ahead of the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid. Against no side do Borussia Dortmund have a better goals-per-game average in the Bundesliga than versus SV Darmstadt, with an average of 2.6 goals per game. Furthermore, they will be looking to extend their four-game unbeaten home streak against Darmstadt in the top-flight.
With the UCL final scheduled for June 1, Edin Terzić could stick to the heavily rotated side seen against Mainz when he lays out the 4-3-3 formation with Youssoufa Moukoko at the center of attack.
Darmstadt 98
Already relegated, Darmstadt will head into Saturday’s dead-rubber clash against Dortmund, hoping to bow out of the Bundesliga with a win following an immediate return to the lower tier. The Lilies are in 18th place with 17 points (3W, 8D, & 22L) ahead of this fixture.
Having lost their last three Bundesliga games without scoring, Darmstadt could now suffer four defeats in a row. Failure to pick up a point would leave them with just 17 points at the end of the season, the second-worst tally in the three-points-for-a-win era after FC Schalke 04's 16 points in 2020-21.
Despite an embarrassing 6-0 defeat to Hoffenheim last time out, Torsten Lieberknecht is expected to leave the 3-4-3 formation in place. Oscar Vilhelmsson will appear at the center of attack, while Jannik Müller is suspended for Saturday’s clash.
