Borussia Dortmund are pushing for a top four finish and UCL qualification

Borussia Dortmund are pushing for a top four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification this season as they take on now already relegated Holstein Kiel at the Westfalenstadion.

Borussia Dortmund preview: Dortmund’s push for UCL

Ever since the appointment of former Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac, Borussia Dortmund have been much-improved as they propel themselves from the bottom-half of the table to an excellent position to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for next season.

Due to the fact that third and fourth, Freiburg and Eintracht Frankfurt, are facing each other; Dortmund know that if they win by more than one goal then they are guaranteed a top four finish in this season’s Bundesliga table.

Holstein Kiel preview: Already relegated

Last weekend, Holstein Kiel had their bottom two finish and automatic relegation to the 2. Bundesliga confirmed following their promotion to the top-flight last season. They have done so with the worst defensive record in the league, conceding 77 goals in their 33 games.

They had shown some fight of late but it came too late as they now come into this one on the back of a 2-1 loss at home to Freiburg in a game in which they did take the lead at Holstein-Stadion.

Borussia Dortmund team news: Gross suspended

Former Brighton and Hove Albion and Ingolstadt midfielder Pascal Gross is unavailable for Borussia Dortmund’s final day visit of Holstein Kiel due to suspension. Germany international attacker Maximilian Beier is also a doubt due to an ankle injury.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Sule, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Ozcan, Nmecha, Svensson; Brandt, Adeyemi; Guirassy.

Bosnia-Herzegovina international midfielder and key man for Holstein Kiel Armin Gigovic is unavailable due to suspension for this weekend’s trip to the Westfalenstadion. They also still have several injury absentees such as Colin Kleine-Bekel and Marco Komenda.

Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Dahne; Becker, Johansson, Zec; Rosenboom, Remberg, Holtby, Tolkin; Skrzybski; Bernhardsson, Machino.