Real Madrid Clash with Borussia Dortmund: Complete Match Preview and Starting XI Predictions

Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund will clash at MetLife Stadium this Saturday, competing for a place in the Club World Cup semifinals.

Los Blancos have maintained superiority in this matchup throughout recent years, particularly following their memorable 4–1 loss to Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park during the Champions League semifinal first leg twelve years prior.

The Spanish giants have secured victory in four out of their last five encounters, which includes the 2024 Champions League final triumph and their league phase clash from the previous campaign.

Another victory against Dortmund would propel Xabi Alonso's squad into the tournament's final four, as Madrid has shown improvement throughout the competition. They eliminated Juventus 1–0 to advance to this round, while BVB topped Group F before defeating Monterrey in the round of 16.

Niko Kovač's team delivered an outstanding first-half performance with Serhou Guirassy netting twice, though they had to hold firm as the Mexican side mounted a strong comeback that ultimately fell short.

Here is Sports Illustrated's comprehensive guide to this Club World Cup quarterfinal encounter.

What Time Does Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund Kick-Off?

Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

Current Form (All Competitions)

How to Watch Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund on TV, Live Stream

Real Madrid Team News

The new Real Madrid coach has adopted a 3-5-2 formation this summer after initially using a four-man defense, though we might witness an attacking change with Kylian Mbappé returning from illness.

Nevertheless, Gonzalo García's impressive performances suggest the French star might be restricted to another substitute role. García netted his third Club World Cup goal during the round of 16 victory against Juventus.

Raúl Asencio is available after serving his suspension, though Alonso may stick with the defensive lineup from the last match.

Jude Bellingham faces his former team, with Arda Güler and Federico Valverde accompanying him in the midfield.

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Borussia Dortmund

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Dortmund (3-5-2): Courtois; Rüdiger, Tchouaméni, Huijsen; Alexander-Arnold, Valverde; Güler, Bellingham, F. García; G. García, Vinícius Júnior

Borussia Dortmund Team News

The Bellingham brothers won't face each other at MetLife this weekend due to Jobe's suspension. Dortmund's recent signing has rapidly established himself in Kovač's starting eleven, but accumulated his second tournament yellow card in the round of 16, resulting in a one-game suspension.

Marcel Sabitzer appears most likely to fill the young Englishman's position. The Austrian midfielder could be granted freedom to push forward and support the attacking duo of Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi.

Emre Can, Salih Özcan and Nico Schlotterbeck remain sidelined with injuries for BVB.

Borussia Dortmund Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid

Dortmund predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (3-5-2): Kobel; Süle, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson; Groß, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson; Guirassy, Adeyemi.

Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund Score Prediction

Madrid survived an initial challenge to defeat Juventus convincingly, and the indicators have been predominantly encouraging during Alonso's early tenure. The manager demonstrated his tactical flexibility in the previous round, with his halftime adjustments neutralizing the impressive Kenan Yildiz after the break.

Alonso possesses intimate knowledge of this Dortmund squad, and Kovač's team is constructed to excel in these high-stakes moments. They demonstrate exceptional coordination in counter-attacking situations, and Madrid's defensive transition will face a stern examination.

This encounter could feature more attacking exchanges compared to Madrid's earlier tournament matches, with Dortmund pushing them in an exciting battle.

Prediction: Real Madrid 3–2 Borussia Dortmund