On Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League, Borussia Dortmund will face Newcastle United, hoping to build on their good home record at the highest level in Europe. In the past four years, BVB have suffered only two home defeats in the competition.

The scenario

  • After Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 win in the reverse fixture in Newcastle, both teams have four points after three games.
  • At least a draw in the second meeting between the sides would give BVB the superior head-to-head record.
  • A BVB win would mean Newcastle would need to take four points more from their remaining two games in Paris and home against Milan than BVB do in their two games against Milan (A) and PSG (H) to finish above Dortmund in the table.
  • A victory against Newcastle would also mean the Black and Yellows would at least maintain their lead over AC Milan (which currently stands at two points) and, depending on the outcome of the other match in the group, could increase that gap to four or five points.

Borussia Dortmund

  • The 4-0 defeat against Bayern Munich last Saturday ended BVB’s run of 26 home matches without defeat across all competitions.
  • Borussia Dortmund have nine wins and six draws from their 17 UEFA Champions League home matches to date, losing just two of those 17 games.
  • Dortmund’s UEFA Champions League home record against English clubs is slightly positive, with five wins, two draws and four defeats.

Newcastle United

  • The Magpies have played three matches since the 1-0 defeat to BVB in the reverse fixture. They drew 2-2 in the Premier League away to the Wolverhampton Wanderers before two impressive results, beating Manchester United 3-0 away in the League Cup and securing a 1-0 home win against Arsenal in the league last time out.
  • Their away record in the Premier League this season is one win, two draws and two defeats. In this season’s Champions League, the English side have competed only once away, drawing 0-0 in Milan.
  • Their away record against German clubs in Europe is positive. In 2001, they won 3-2 at 1860 Munich, before beating Leverkusen 3-1 in Germany a year later. Their most recent game on German soil was a goalless draw in Frankfurt in 2006. (br)