Predicted XI

Hazard to start? How Dortmund could line-up against Arminia

The Belgian has made two recent appearances off the bench and may be handed a start this weekend by Lucien Favre

12:00pm on Saturday 31st October 2020
By Martin Macdonald

Thorgan Hazard could be handed his second start of the season on Saturday when Dortmund take on Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga.

Hazard recently returned from injury and made appearances off the bench in the wins against Schalke in the Bundesliga and versus Zenit in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Lucien Favre could hand the Belgian a start if he is close to full fitness.

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Dortmund still have plenty of issues at the back, with Emre Can, Nico Schulz, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Marcel Schmelzer all currently unavailable.

Can is currently isolating after testing positive for coronavirus.

The lack of personnel at the back has led to Favre switching to a back four for the last two games, with Manuel Akanji partnering Mats Hummels in the centre of defence.

It may prove something he may stick with going forward, too, as they won both games, scoring five and conceding none.

Thomas Meunier and Raphael Guerreiro will likely feature at full-back.

Jude Bellingham came off the bench to record an assist against Zenit, and could be restored to the starting XI alongside Axel Witsel in the sitting midfield pairing.

Should Hazard be restored, too, it could mean Giovanni Reyna settling for a place on the bench.

Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland are likely to retain their place from midweek.