Will proud Mexicans cause BVB’s exit?

Borussia Dortmund has yet to make its mark on this Club World Cup. Nevertheless, the team won the group with seven out of a possible nine points and advanced to the round of 16. There, they will face the Rayados from northeastern Mexico, a beatable but uncomfortable opponent. For a bet on coach Niko Kovac’s team to pay off again in the knockout game against Monterrey, Dortmund will have to work on their finishing compared to their last group stage match.

However, the Mexican side’s impressive group stage performance, which saw them remain unbeaten after three games and even manage to snatch a point from Champions League finalists Inter Milan in a 1-1 draw, underlines just how difficult the task will be on Tuesday night. The trump card of head coach Domenec Torrent’s team is clearly their defense, which impresses with its uncompromising attitude and tough tackling. Quite a few experts are therefore predicting a relatively low-scoring 90 minutes ahead of the Dortmund vs. Monterrey clash.

However, one thing that should definitely play into the Black and Yellows’ hands is the fact that at 9 p.m. local time, conditions in Atlanta will be almost European. Instead of brutal heat at midday, temperatures of around 24 degrees are expected in the evening under floodlights. These are ideal conditions for BVB to really impress for the first time in this tournament. According to the bookmakers who offer betting with Apple Pay, the odds are pretty good for Borussia.

Dortmund – Statistics & current form

The first three games of this Club World Cup in the USA have shown that BVB is currently far from its best form. In terms of enthusiasm, effectiveness and self-confidence, there is a clear break with the magnificent final spurt in the Bundesliga. However, the fact that they still finished top of Group F speaks for the quality of the Black and Yellows. Borussia benefited primarily from weaker competition from Rio de Janeiro, Mamelodi and Ulsan.

Nevertheless, finishing the preliminary round as group winners could be a real advantage for the rest of the tournament and especially for the upcoming round of 16. After all, the BVB pros had an extra day to recover and will now play at 9 p.m. local time instead of 2 p.m. This means more humane temperatures, which should definitely help Kovac’s players, who have looked tired at times. In fact, this climatic factor also plays a decisive role in my Dortmund vs. Monterrey prediction in favor of the Bundesliga club.

Will BVB’s form continue to improve?

In terms of quality, the Black and Yellows have all the trump cards in their hands compared to their Mexican opponents. However, it will still be important to continue to improve in their fourth tournament game. After a weak performance in their opening game against Fluminense (0-0), improvements were evident against Mamelodi (4-3) and finally against Ulsan HD (1-0). Against the South Koreans in particular, BVB finally made a dominant impression, earning almost 30 shots on goal and failing primarily due to their own lack of effectiveness. A much higher level of success was undoubtedly within reach.

The round of 16 on Tuesday night could nevertheless prove to be a test of patience for the fourth-placed team in last season’s Bundesliga. The Mexicans will try to create counterattacking opportunities from a solid defensive position. Set pieces will also be a factor. However, if the 2024 Champions League finalists manage to stay focused in defense and remain persistent in attack, there is every reason to believe that Guirassy, Bellingham, and Co. will leave the pitch as winners.

In line with this, the betting odds between Dortmund and Monterrey suggest a 1-0, 2-0, or 3-0 win for the favorites. For these narrow result predictions, you can get odds of 3.35 at Winamax. With the Winamax bonus, you can also get up to $110 in free bets. Alternatively, you could consider Jobe Bellingham as a goalscorer.

Predicted line-up:
Kobel – Ryerson, Anton, Bensebaini – Couto, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson – Adeyemi, Bellingham; Guirassy

Monterrey – Statistics & current form

Club de Futbol Monterrey A.C. has already achieved a prestigious goal. While the other Mexican representative, Pachuca, was eliminated in the preliminary round, the “Rayados” are continuing in the knockout stage. The White and Blues can certainly relate to the headlines in the national media, which describe Monterrey as the pride of Mexico.

Despite a healthy dose of humility, the Club World Cup adventure is far from over for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League winners, who face BVB in the round of 16. Coach Domenec Torrent’s team is aiming for a surprise coup and is relying primarily on its defensive strength, passion when working against the ball, and tireless determination to defend everything that comes their way. Nevertheless, the Mexicans are considered clear underdogs. It’s no coincidence that Bwin is offering odds of 3.20 on Monterrey reaching the quarter-finals against Dortmund.

Monterrey wants to make life as difficult as possible for BVB

La Pandilla also made a lasting impression in the preliminary round, conceding only one goal. The 1-1 draw against Inter Milan mentioned in the introduction was followed by a respectable 0-0 draw against River Plate and a confident 4-0 victory against Urawa Red Diamonds, who had been ahead against the Champions League finalists from Lombardy until the final stages. Three of the four goals against the Japanese representatives were scored in less than ten minutes, which impressively demonstrates that Torrent’s team cannot be reduced to a stable back line. There are also interesting individual players on the offensive that the BVB defense will have to watch out for.

Ahead of kick-off, you can be sure that the Mexicans will leave their hearts on the pitch and try with the utmost intensity to disrupt Dortmund’s rhythm. Whether that be through minor fouls, heated discussions or even time-wasting early on. If it’s an open game, the Bundesliga side, who are considered to be the better team, will have a clear advantage. However, if the game doesn’t flow, it could be a tough affair.

Regardless, the trend is toward a low-scoring encounter. For under 2.5, which would have been the result for both teams in two of their three group games, Betano is offering odds of 2.07, which you can bet on with Betano’s $20 free bet.

Predicted line-up:
Andrada – Chavez, Medina, Ramos, Arteaga – Deossa, Rodriguez, Torres, Corona – Berterame, Alvarado

Dortmund – Monterrey Head-to-head record

BVB will also play their fourth game in this Club World Cup against a team they have no experience against. Although cross-comparisons are actually inadvisable, Dortmund should nevertheless raise a warning finger. On the one hand, because Monterrey fought their way to a 1-1 draw against Inter Milan. On the other hand, European clubs have slipped up time and again against supposed underdogs in the course of the tournament…

Dortmund – Monterrey Tip

It is extremely rare for weather conditions to have such a big impact on soccer games as they have in this Club World Cup. Clubs from North America, Central America, South America and even Africa are used to extreme conditions and therefore had a slight advantage on their home turf in some cases. This makes it all the more important to know that the last of the eight round of 16 matches will now kick off at 9 p.m. local time in Atlanta at 24 degrees Celsius. A floodlit game in mild temperatures and then in a knockout format – in my opinion, this plays right into the hands of the Black and Yellows.

Despite the fact that BVB have not been convincing in the tournament so far and have at times put in lethargic and tired performances, I am going with the Bundesliga fourth-placed team on Wednesday night, arguing in favor of the higher individual quality in Kovac’s team.

However, because there is a lot at stake and the Mexicans have done a very solid job defensively so far, my Dortmund vs. Monterrey prediction is that Borussia will not lose after regular time and that there will be no more than three goals in the 90 minutes. The 1X & Under 3.5 offers maximum odds of 1.70.