FC Tokyo vs Borussia Dortmund Preview – prediction, team news, lineups | Pre-season friendly

Die Schwarzgelben eye getting back to winning ways with win over FC Tokyo in Japan

MUFG Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, gears up to host the club friendly fixture. German giants Borussia Dortmund and local Japanese outfit FC Tokyo are set for a thrilling contest.

Home team Tokyo FC finished second last season and will be keen to pull a big upset when they take on German outfit Borussia Dortmund. This will be their first game to kickstart their pre-season, and no better occasion to impress the local fans in the Japanese capital, Tokyo.

Aoaka are led by Japanese gaffer Rikizo Matsuhashi, who has previously led teams such as Albirex Niigata. Last season, Tokyo created a lot of chances and had one of the highest xG but failed to convert them into goals. They made some new signings in the form of Nicolai Vallys and Hayato Inamura from European leagues.

Talking about Borussia Dortmund, they finished second last season but were miles away from winning the Bundesliga. Since winning the Bundesliga back in the 2011-12 season under Jürgen Klopp, Dortmund has failed to win any major silverware, except making it to the UCL final three years ago.

Die Schwarzgelben are led by Niko Kovac, an experienced gaffer who has led teams like Bayern Munich, Monaco and Wolfsburg. A lot of big names like Adeyemi, Watjen and Ozcan have departed the club, and Dortmund haven’t made any major signings either.

Pre-season friendlies bring a relaxed and experimental rhythm where fitness matters more than the final score. The summer enters a phase where tactical drills and rising academy prospects take centre stage over wins. Ahead of the start of the new season, fans can expect a low-pressure game where every manager gets a chance to test their squad.

Kick-off:

• Location: Tokyo, Japan
• Stadium: MUFG Stadium
• Date: Saturday, 1 August
• Kick-off time: 3:30 p.m. IST, 11:00 a.m. BST
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: Not in use

Form:

FC Tokyo (in all competitions): L-D-L-D-W

Borussia Dortmund (in all competitions): L-L-W-W-W

Players to Watch

Marcelo Ryan (FC Tokyo)

The 24-year-old Brazilian striker made a move from Bahia to Yokohama and since then, at such a less time, he has accumulated a lot of experience playing across top Asian leagues. He was one of the top goal scorers for FC Tokyo last season and will be keen to replicate his brilliant form next season.

He has a rare opportunity to make a name for himself by scoring against a top European club like Dortmund with a solid defensive backline. He serves as Tokyo’s key focal point in the forward line and will be a delight to watch upfront.

Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)

The French-born Guinean striker has plied his trade with teams like Rennes and Stuttgart before making a move to Dortmund in 2024 and has emerged as their top striker since then. He is a world-class modern number nine who has a lot of experience playing across top European leagues.

He had a highly productive season, logging over 25 goals in 50 games across all competitions. His ruthless finishing efficiency and ability to find the back of the net make him an asset for Dortmund and Niko Kovac will rely a lot on him upfront.

Match Facts

• This is the first time these two sides are locking horns.
• Dortmund are coming after two defeats recently against Dusseldorf and Osaka
• FC Tokyo will play their first game in the preseason friendlies.

FC Tokyo vs Borussia Dortmund: Betting Tips and Odds

• Dortmund to win the game – 10/11 with bet365
• Score to remain 1-1 in first half – 6/1 with bet365
• FC Tokyo 1-4 Borussia Dortmund – 22/1 with bet365

Injury and Team News

Dortmund are set to miss some key players like Nico Schlotterbeck, who picked up an ankle injury during the FIFA World Cup. Apart from that, Kaua Prates and Emre Can will also be absent.

Tokyo FC do not have any injury concerns for the next game.

Head-to-Head

This will be the first time these two sides will lock horns with each other.

Predicted Lineups

FC Tokyo predicted lineup (4-4-2)

Hayate Tanaka (GK); Sei Muroya, Alexander Scholz, Hayato Inamura, Kento Hashimoto; Yuta Sugawara, Kyota Tokiwa, Takahiro Ko, Kota Tawaratsumida; Marcelo Ryan, Motoki Nagakura

Borussia Dortmund predicted lineup (3-4-3)

Alexander Meyer (GK); Joane Gadou, Filippo Mane, Luca Reggiani; Yan Couto, Jobe Bellingham, Carney Chukwuemeka, Almugera Kabar; Takato Yamamoto, Serhou Guirassy, Samuele Inacio

Match Prediction

We expect Borussia Dortmund to emerge victorious. Despite the home advantage for Tokyo and the German outfit missing some big names, Tokyo are technically weaker than Dortmund. Dortmund will go all guns blazing to clinch a big win over Tokyo.

Prediction: FC Tokyo 1-4 Borussia Dortmund

Telecast Details

Worldwide: Dortmund YouTube Channel

India: Fancode

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