This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy Soccer series.
Game Preview
Borussia Dortmund sit in second place of the standings with 63 points and are seven points behind Bayern Munich before the start of Saturday's action. With four games left in the schedule, it's hard to imagine them making a real title challenge. Dusseldorf, on the other hand, are 16th with 28 points and need to start winning soon – that's the only way they will avoid playing a relegation play-off. The hosts are 15th in the home standings with just 17 points out of 15 home contests (W4, D5, L6), but they are undefeated in their last four home games (W1, D3). Dortmund, on the other hand, have won their last four away contests and have dropped just four games away from home this season (W8, D3, L4).
Recent Form
Fortuna Dusseldorf: W1, D3, L1
Dortmund: W4, L1
Team News
Fortuna Dusseldorf
OUT: Adam Bodzek (suspension), Aymen Barkok (undisclosed), Zack Steffen (knee), Oliver Fink (calf)
Doubtful: Bernard Tekpetey (thigh), Marcel Sobottka (ankle)
Dortmund
OUT: Nico Schulz (groin), Mahmoud Dahoud (knee), Dan-Axel Zagadou (knee)
Doubtful: Erling Haaland (knee), Marco Reus (thigh)
Expected Lineups
Fortuna Dusseldorf: Florian Kastenmeier; Kaan Ayhan, Andre Hoffmann, Markus Suttner, Matthias Zimmermann; Valon Berisha, Alfredo Morales, Kevin Stoger, Erik Thommy; Rouwen Hennings, Kenan Karaman
Dortmund: Roman Burki; Lukasz Piszczek, Mats Hummels, Manuel Akanji; Achraf Hakimi, Emre Can, Axel Witsel, Raphael Guerreiro; Jadon Sancho, Thorgan Hazard; Erling
Game Preview
Borussia Dortmund sit in second place of the standings with 63 points and are seven points behind Bayern Munich before the start of Saturday's action. With four games left in the schedule, it's hard to imagine them making a real title challenge. Dusseldorf, on the other hand, are 16th with 28 points and need to start winning soon – that's the only way they will avoid playing a relegation play-off. The hosts are 15th in the home standings with just 17 points out of 15 home contests (W4, D5, L6), but they are undefeated in their last four home games (W1, D3). Dortmund, on the other hand, have won their last four away contests and have dropped just four games away from home this season (W8, D3, L4).
Recent Form
Fortuna Dusseldorf: W1, D3, L1
Dortmund: W4, L1
Team News
Fortuna Dusseldorf
OUT: Adam Bodzek (suspension), Aymen Barkok (undisclosed), Zack Steffen (knee), Oliver Fink (calf)
Doubtful: Bernard Tekpetey (thigh), Marcel Sobottka (ankle)
Dortmund
OUT: Nico Schulz (groin), Mahmoud Dahoud (knee), Dan-Axel Zagadou (knee)
Doubtful: Erling Haaland (knee), Marco Reus (thigh)
Expected Lineups
Fortuna Dusseldorf: Florian Kastenmeier; Kaan Ayhan, Andre Hoffmann, Markus Suttner, Matthias Zimmermann; Valon Berisha, Alfredo Morales, Kevin Stoger, Erik Thommy; Rouwen Hennings, Kenan Karaman
Dortmund: Roman Burki; Lukasz Piszczek, Mats Hummels, Manuel Akanji; Achraf Hakimi, Emre Can, Axel Witsel, Raphael Guerreiro; Jadon Sancho, Thorgan Hazard; Erling Haaland
Top Picks
Jadon Sancho, Dortmund: Sancho didn't score last week against Hertha Berlin, but he created three chances and took three shots, so he was a bit unlucky not to find the back of the net. He still has three goals in his last two starts, however, so he should create a fair share of chances once again considering he will face a struggling defensive unit.
Erling Haaland, Dortmund: Haaland is listed as doubtful because of a knee problem, but he has looked good in training and should be ready to start. He didn't score in his previous contest, but he still has 10 goals this season and should be ready to pounce against a Dusseldorf side that averages more than 1.5 goals conceded per home match this season.
Lineup Strategies
Which Dortmund players are must-start alternatives? Roman Burki (8.5 credits) is a strong candidate to earn a clean sheet since Dusseldorf have the league's second-worst scoring figure at just 33 goals. Raphael Guerreiro (9.0 credits) and Achraf Hakimi (9.5 credits) are good choices for midfield and defense, respectively, due to their clear attacking tendencies. The same could be said for Jadon Sancho (10.5 credits) and Erling Haaland (10.5 credits). If both start, which is expected, then they could create havoc against Dusseldorf's struggling defense; they have combined for 27 goals and 18 assists this term.
Where the value lies on Dusseldorf? It's hard to establish much value in a Dusseldorf team that is likely to struggle during the entirety of the contest. However, there are a few players worth targeting in this matchup. Rouwen Hennings (10.0 credits) has three goals in his last two starts and could be a decent option up front, while Erik Thommy (9.5 credits) and Valon Berisha (8.0 credits) might be worth targeting in midfield.
Captain and Vice-Captain Options
Dream11 Team
GK: Roman Burki
DF: Achraf Hakimi
DF: Manuel Akanji
DF: Kaan Ayhan
MF: Valon Berisha
MF: Thomas Delaney
MF: Erik Thommy
FW: Jadon Sancho (VC)
FW: Erling Haaland (C)
FW: Kenan Karaman
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.