Borussia Dortmund head into their Champions League encounter against Villarreal on September 8 riding a wave of confidence after scoring five goals in their last two outings. BVB dispatched Hoffenheim 3-2 in a thriller before following up with a composed 2-0 victory over Hamburg, and that combination of attacking verve and defensive solidity makes them formidable hosts at Signal Iduna Park.

Villarreal, by contrast, arrive in Germany nursing wounds from a 2-3 defeat to La Coruña — a result that exposed vulnerabilities at both ends of the pitch. The Yellow Submarine managed to find the net twice in that game, proving they still carry a goal threat, but conceding three goals will be a major concern for the coaching staff ahead of a trip to one of European football's most intimidating venues. Fixing those defensive lapses in a matter of days will be the central challenge.

The key battle in this fixture will be fought between Dortmund's prolific attack and Villarreal's fragile rearguard. BVB have averaged 2.5 goals per game across their recent fixtures, and they will look to exploit the same defensive disorganisation that La Coruña capitalised on. Villarreal's best hope lies in their own attacking quality — they showed against La Coruña that they can score against any defence — so expect them to try and turn this into an open, end-to-end contest rather than sit back and absorb pressure.

What is at stake could hardly be clearer. Champions League points at this stage are precious, and Dortmund FC will see home advantage as an opportunity to lay down a marker in the competition. For Villarreal, a positive result on the road would go a long way toward steadying the ship after a damaging domestic loss. Neither side can afford to drop points carelessly if they harbour ambitions of progressing deep into the tournament.

Given Dortmund's superior recent form, the comfort of home support, and Villarreal's defensive concerns, BVB look the likelier winners here. However, Villarreal's ability to score — even in defeat — suggests they will not go quietly. A 2-1 Dortmund victory feels like the most probable outcome: enough for the hosts to extend their winning run while acknowledging Villarreal's capacity to trouble any backline on their day.