Will BVB tremble their way into the round of 16?

Borussia Dortmund has benefited from weak opposition in Group F of the Club World Cup so far. Although the Black and Yellows themselves appear tired, exhausted, and overplayed, and have therefore not even come close to replicating their performances from the final stages of the Bundesliga in their first two games, they have their fate in their own hands ahead of their final group match. If the prediction that Kovac’s team will earn at least one point against Ulsan HD proves correct, they will advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.

However, the 2024 Champions League finalists must defeat the South Korean underdogs and, ideally, finish the group stage in first place. Depending on which Dortmund vs. Ulsan HD prediction pays off and how the parallel match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Fluminense ends, this will also decide the potential opponent in the round of 16. While the group winner is likely to face Monterrey or River Plate, the runner-up would probably have to face Inter Milan in the round of 16…

Borussia could have a big advantage on Tuesday evening, as their no-name opponents from Asia have nothing left to play for. After two defeats and five goals conceded, the Koreans have no chance of advancing. Nevertheless, the Tigers naturally want to bid a fitting farewell to the big international stage – possibly even with a sensational coup. In the run-up to the Dortmund vs. Ulsan HD match, such a coup is offering odds of up to 13.50 at NEO.bet.

Dortmund – Statistics & current form

Playing with joy, activity, efficiency, and plenty of self-confidence and belief in their own strength – all of these qualities characterized Borussia Dortmund during their impressive run towards the end of the Bundesliga season. With a courageous approach and plenty of individual quality in attack, BVB marched from victory to victory, picking up 22 points from their last eight matches, scoring 26 (!) goals in the process and climbing to fourth place in the final table, which, as is well known, qualifies them for the UEFA Champions League again.

However, virtually nothing remains of the inspiring power football of April and May in June. The professionals in black and yellow appear sluggish, lethargic, and tired. Their own build-up play is characterized by simple passing errors. Against the ball, there is a lack of intensity, toughness in tackles, and willingness. In the final third, it is primarily individual actions that create danger. If nothing changes in the coming days, the Westphalians face an early exit from this tournament…

BVB is currently benefiting from weaker opponents

Under normal circumstances, however, BVB should at least survive the group stage. On the one hand, because one point in the final match is enough to finish in one of the top two places in Group F. On the other hand, because the South Korean top club is now the weakest opponent in an already unremarkable group of four. Despite the disappointing performances so far, my Dortmund vs. Ulsan HD prediction is therefore clearly in favor of coach Niko Kovac’s team, who even defended his players after the 4-3 defeat to Mamelodi, blaming the collapse in the final stages on the unspeakable heat in the United States.

Internally, however, the analysis of the narrow victory against the South African underdogs is likely to have been much more critical. Especially in the first 25 minutes and in the aforementioned final phase, there was no difference in class to be seen. On the contrary, the Sundowns played refreshing football that the Black and Yellows couldn’t cope with.

Against Ulsan HD, it is now to be expected that the Borussia pros will have a lot of possession and will have to find solutions against a deep-lying opponent. So they will need good defensive play and determination with the ball. As I expect an improved performance from the Bundesliga side, whose opponents looked vulnerable defensively in their last game, and must also highlight the quality advantages of the 2024 Champions League finalists, it makes sense to bet on a handicap win for the favorites between Dortmund and Ulsan HD.

Predicted line-up for Dortmund:
Kobel – Süle, Anton, Bensebaini – Ryerson, Nmecha, Groß, Svensson – Bellingham, Brandt (c) – Guirassy

Ulsan HD – Statistics & current form

For Ulsan HD Football Club, the Club World Cup will definitely end with the highlight match against Borussia Dortmund. Because the South Koreans lost their first two group matches against Mamelodi (0-1) and Fluminense (2-4), they no longer have a chance of reaching the round of 16.

However, that won’t stop the proud Asians from giving their all and at least returning home with a respectable result. Even a draw would be a huge surprise for the underdogs, with odds of 6.75 at Winamax for a Dortmund win against Ulsan HD.

Ulsan HD hopes for a surprise coup in the last game of the tournament

However, the performances on the first two matchdays do not bode well for the upcoming encounter. The Koreans were completely outclassed by Mamelodi and Fluminense. Against the Brazilians, Ulsan only managed 30% possession, failed to prevent 25 (!) shots on their own goal and ultimately lost 2-4. Curiously, at half-time, the two-time Asian Champions League winners were still leading 2-1 thanks to a flurry of chances from “Flu.”

Because coach Pan-gon Kim’s team has nothing to lose and will certainly give their all on the pitch once again, it is not out of the question that the five-time South Korean champions will score against BVB. After all, Ulsan has scored at least one goal in nine of its last ten competitive games.

Those who are not convinced about betting on the Bundesliga club will therefore find what they are looking for between Dortmund and Ulsan HD in the odds for both teams to score. Bwin is offering an impressive 2.05, which new customers can also combine with the Bwin deposit bonus. Personally, I don’t believe that the Koreans, who are clearly inferior in terms of quality, will get a point. A handicap win for the favorites seems more realistic, who, depending on the result in the parallel game, will need a higher win to still win the group.

Predicted line-up for Ulsan HD:
Jo – Trojak, Seo, Kim (c), Ludwigson – Lee, Jung, Bojanić, Ko – Um, Farias

Dortmund – Ulsan HD Head-to-head record / H2H record

Although Borussia Dortmund has been on tour in Asia in recent years and has also played friendly matches against clubs from the continent of extremes for promotional purposes, there has been no direct duel against Ulsan HD in the statistics so far. The head-to-head record therefore has no influence on the upcoming match!

Dortmund – Ulsan HD Prediction

In many other groups, Borussia Dortmund would probably already be out of the competition before the last matchday, given their performances so far. However, because the opposition in Group F is considered to be significantly weaker and, in the case of Mamelodi, virtually invited BVB to win, there are many indications that the Bundesliga club will advance to the round of 16. Nevertheless, Niko Kovač and his coaching team are hoping for a significant improvement in performance from their own team on Tuesday evening, which has looked tired at times and has been unable to maintain a decent tempo for 90 minutes.

On Wednesday evening, however, Borussia will once again benefit from a weaker opponent, who also has no chance of advancing. Ulsan HD has already conceded five goals, had virtually no chances in either game and is therefore once again considered the clear underdog at the TQL Stadium. I fully agree with this assessment and am inclined to bet on BVB scoring at least once in each half of the Dortmund vs. Ulsan HD match.