Borussia Dortmund vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach preview: A festive battle of the Borussians | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund will hope to round off the 2025 calendar year on a high note as they take on Germany's other big Borussian foes – Mönchengladbach – this Friday evening. The game kicks off at 20:30 CET at the Westfalenstadion. 

In truth, things have been far from harmonious for BVB. From doubts over Nico Schlotterbeck's future and a spate of injuries to continued poor performances, one would suspect Niko Kovač will be keen to reach the winter break and recharge the batteries.

The Westphalians didn't exactly fare any better last Sunday in a 1-1 draw with SC Freiburg. BVB looked like blowing the Breisgau side away in the first-half, until Jobe Bellingham was sent off after the break allowing the hosts to battle back bravely. 

Dortmund have typically enjoyed a good run against Gladbach of late, winning four of the last five meetings. Better still as hosts, you have to turn back time to March 2014 for the last time they were defeated by the Foals on their home turf. 

Team news:

A wave of untimely injuries may limit Kovač's squad this Friday. Waldemar Anton and Aaron Anselmino (both thigh injuries), Julian Brandt (ankle) and Marcel Sabitzer (muscle stiffness) could be in danger of missing out completely.

With Kobel in goals, Ryerson should fill in to partner Can and Schlotterbeck. Yan Couto and Daniel Svensson will flank midfield duo Groß and Nmecha, while Adeyemi and Chukwuemeka should support Serhou Guirassy.

Predicted lineup: Kobel – Ryerson, Can, Schlotterbeck – Couto, Groß, Nmecha, Svensson – Adeyemi, Chukwuemeka – Guirassy

Borussia Mönchengladbach

For the visitors, Borussia Mönchengladbach have been one of the Bundesliga's most in-form teams of late. Only Eintracht Frankfurt and leaders Bayern Munich have a similar or better record of results in their last five league outings. 

Eugen Polanski deserves an abundance of credit for dragging the Foals away from the drop zone. Things have finally started to click despite last weekend's disappointing 3-1 loss to VfL Wolfsburg which ended their five-game unbeaten run. 

Now, the Rhineland club make the short trip north to Westphalia for a meeting with Borussia Dortmund. Polanski has a big task on his plate given Gladbach have slipped to a defeat in each of their last 12 visits to the home of the Black and Yellows.

A positive result of any kind would likely be received well at Gladbach. With the BVB's attack far from functioning, the visitors ought to remain compact. Considering they have leaked just four goals in the last six league games - frustrating Dortmund should be the key.

Team news:

Tim Kleindienst (surgery), Franck Honorat (calf) and Robin Hack (knee) remain the biggest absentees. Fabio Chiarodia (torn muscle), Nathan Ngoumou (fitness) and Marvin Friedrich (ankle) are also doubts. 

Moritz Nicolas should be protected by a back-three of Scally, Elvedi and Diks. Castrop and Netz are expenses to play outside Reitz, Engelhardt and ex-BVB man Reyna. Up top, Machino ought to partner Haris Tabakovic. 

Predicted lineup: Nicolas – Scally, Elvedi, Diks – Castrop, Reitz, Engelhardt, Reyna, Netz – Machino, Tabakovic