Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs. Villarreal - prediction, team news, lineups

BVB suffered a 3-1 loss to La Liga side Valencia in their last pre-season fixture on Monday, while Villarreal recorded a 2-1 victory over Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven on Saturday.

Match preview

Dortmund have now played four friendlies this summer, starting their preparations for the new season with a 3-1 victory over Luner SV on July 5 before beating Dynamo Dresden and Verl in their next two.

BVB will enter this contest off the back of the a defeat, though, having lost 3-1 to Valencia on Monday, with Goncalo Guedes (two) and Marcos Andre on the scoresheet for the La Liga side, while Marco Reus netted for the German club from the penalty spot in the 51st minute.

Dortmund have two more friendlies this summer against Villarreal and Antalyaspor ahead of their Bundesliga opener at home to Bayer Leverkusen on August 6, but they will also be in action against 1860 Munich in the DFB-Pokal on July 29.

Edin Terzic's side have been busy this summer in terms of incomings, with Sebastien Haller, Karim Adeyemi, Nico Schlotterbeck, Salih Ozcan, Niklas Sule, Marcel Lotka and Alexander Meyer all arriving at the club.

Erling Braut Haaland has been their major outgoing, with the Norway international making the move to Manchester City, but they have been able to retain Jude Bellingham thus far, with the Englishman expected to spend at least another campaign with the German club.

Villarreal, meanwhile, have played two friendlies this summer, opening their preparations for the new campaign with a 1-1 draw against Sporting Lisbon on July 14 before beating PSV Eindhoven 2-1 last time out.

The Yellow Submarine will now face Dortmund, Southampton, Fulham and Inter Milan in friendlies before beginning their La Liga campaign away to Real Valladolid on August 13.

Unai Emery's side finished seventh in La Liga last season, which was only enough to qualify for the playoff round of the Europa Conference League, which has to go down as a disappointment considering that they made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2021-22.

Villarreal have been quiet during the summer transfer window, only bringing in Pepe Reina and Jose Luis Morales on free transfers since the end of last season.

There have also been departures in the shape of Sergio Asenjo, Ruben Pena, Xavi Quintilla, Alex Millan and Serge Aurier, as Emery prepares to shape his squad for the new season.

Borussia Dortmund Club Friendlies 1 form:

Borussia Dortmund form (all competitions):

Villarreal Club Friendlies 1 form:

Villarreal form (all competitions):

Team News

Dortmund announced earlier this week that new signing Haller has a testicular tumour, so the centre-forward will be unavailable for selection while he undergoes treatment.

Head coach Terzic is again expected to select a 4-2-3-1 formation on Friday evening, and the bulk of the XI that took to the field against Valencia could again start this contest.

Youssoufa Moukoko is likely to be given the nod in the centre-forward position, while new signing Adeyemi could feature alongside Reus and Thorgan Hazard in the attacking positions.

As for Villarreal, new signing Morales featured off the bench against PSV Eindhoven last time out, and the 24-year-old is now pushing for a position in the first XI.

Head coach Emery is expected to select an experienced starting side, with Gerard Moreno potentially being joined in the final third of the field by Arnaut Danjuma.

Pau Torres continues to be linked with a summer exit but is expected to start this match, while Yeremi Pino and Samuel Chukwueze could feature in the wide areas for the Yellow Submarine.

Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:

Kobel; Meunier, Hummels, Sule, Guerreiro; Bellingham, Dahoud; Adeyemi, Reus, T Hazard; Moukoko

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, P Torres, Pedraza; Pino, Parejo, Coquelin, Chukwueze; G Moreno, Danjuma

We say: Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Villarreal

This has all of the makings of an entertaining game of football, and we are predicting goals on Friday. Dortmund are further ahead in their preparations for the new season, but a talented Villarreal side should have enough to avoid defeat in the pre-season clash.

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