Borussia Dortmund v Villarreal: Expected teams for UEFA Champions League clash

Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal are preparing to meet in a fresh European contest at Signal Iduna Park, with the match scheduled to begin at 19:00 GMT on Tuesday. Both sides are expected to make tactical changes for the UEFA Champions League fixture, although the proposed line-ups remain subject to confirmation before kick-off.

Dortmund are likely to use a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Kobel expected to start in goal. Gadou, Anton and Svensson are tipped to form the back three, while Ryerson, Bellingham, Veerman and Karetsas could operate across midfield.

Nwaneri and Beier are expected to play behind Guirassy, who is projected to lead the Dortmund attack. The German side will, however, be without suspended defenders Schlotterbeck and Bensebaini.

Dortmund also have three players reported to be unavailable because of injury. Mane, Konstantelias and Can are all expected to miss the match, reducing the options available to the home side as they prepare for the encounter.

Villarreal are expected to line up in a 4-4-2 system. Gulacsi could take his place in goal, with Mourino, Costa, Veiga and Romero forming the anticipated defensive line in front of him.

Pepe, Comesana, Gueye and Buchanan are projected to make up Villarreal’s midfield. At the other end of the pitch, Mikautadze and Moreno are expected to start as the Spanish club’s two forwards.

Foyth is the only absentee reported for Villarreal. Unlike Dortmund, the Spanish side are not expected to have any other unavailable players ahead of the game.

The match will therefore see two contrasting starting structures, with Dortmund’s predicted three-man defence facing Villarreal’s anticipated back four. The final teams will be confirmed before kick-off, but the provisional selections indicate how both managers could approach the European fixture.

Expected line-ups

Dortmund (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Gadou, Anton, Svensson; Ryerson, Bellingham, Veerman, Karetsas; Nwaneri, Beier; Guirassy.

Villarreal (4-4-2): Gulacsi; Mourino, Costa, Veiga, Romero; Pepe, Comesana, Gueye, Buchanan; Mikautadze, Moreno.