Cerezo Osaka vs Dortmund Prediction 29 July 2026
🔊 Borussia Dortmund kick off their Japan tour against Cerezo Osaka. The squad they've brought isn't exactly full strength, though there are plenty of recognizable names making the trip to Osaka and Tokyo. Japanese fans - and the local players - are eager to test themselves against a top club and hoping for an entertaining match rather than a dull goalless draw. Given this is a friendly, though, that kind of result seems unlikely.
Head-to-Head
📊 The two sides have met before, during Borussia's previous tour of Japan. Their 2024 encounter ended in a Borussia win (3:2) - they were 3:0 up inside 30 minutes, then took their foot off the gas.
Head-to-head statistics Cerezo Osaka - Dortmund
Cerezo Osaka Team Overview
Cerezo Osaka don't have any big names in the squad, but in early July they brought in a new head coach. Pablo Machín has worked with Sevilla, Girona, Espanyol and Alavés in Spain, where he built teams around a back three and strong defensive discipline. And it seems that style is starting to suit the Japanese side.
Between March and June, Cerezo Osaka were scoring 1.75 goals per game - enough to earn them a bronze medal in the J.League. They were conceding at a fair rate too, though: 1.19 per match on average. Their first pre-season friendly under Machín ended in a 1-0 win over Hitachi Tochigi Uva. It'll be interesting to see how the hosts handle the pressure from their German opponents.
Match Results: Cerezo Osaka
Borussia Dortmund Team Overview
Borussia Dortmund left several key players at home for the Japan tour. Gregor Kobel, Ramy Bensebaini, Julian Ryerson and Marcel Sabitzer all got extra rest after the World Cup - none of them will feature in Osaka or Tokyo. Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can are out injured. The bulk of the workload will fall on youth players and squad depth, though Jobe Bellingham, Felix Nmecha, Maximilian Beier, Serhou Guirassy and Daniel Svensson should all have something to contribute.
Dortmund went to Japan off the back of two pre-season games at home. They beat Rot-Weiss Oberhausen 3-1, then lost to Fortuna Düsseldorf 1-2. What stood out in both matches was how dominant Dortmund were statistically - 29 shots to their opponents' 19, 14 on target to 5, 108 dangerous attacks to 69, and 8 clear chances to 2. But the half-time changes disrupted the rhythm and shape each time. Don't expect a consistent 90 minutes in Japan either. That said, Niko Kovač is still working toward the competitive season - and there aren't many games left to get combinations right.
Match Results: Borussia Dortmund
Outcome Prediction
Trends- Cerezo Osaka have covered the +1.5 handicap in 6 matches in a row (Friendlies, clubs).
Total Goals Prediction
Trends- Over 2.5 goals has landed in 8 of Borussia Dortmund's last 9 matches (Friendlies, clubs).
Both Teams To Score Prediction
Trends- Borussia Dortmund have scored and conceded in 5 matches in a row (Friendlies, clubs).
⭐ Editor's Prediction
The form of both sides points toward a goal-heavy game. Cerezo Osaka will try to sit back, sure - but the crowd, likely over 47,000 at Nagai, will push them forward. Borussia have decent options on both flanks and will look to exploit that. Even setting aside rotation and second-half substitutions, Dortmund should dominate. That said, in preseason they were conceding against weaker sides than a club sitting in the top three of the Japanese league. Main prediction: Both Teams To Score (Yes).
No comments
Betting Tips: Cerezo Osaka - Borussia Dortmund
in 24 of last 25 games (Club Friendly Games).in 20 of last 21 away games (Club Friendly Games).in 14 of last 15 games (Club Friendly Games).in 8 of last 9 away games (Club Friendly Games).
in 6 of last 7 away games (Club Friendly Games).in 6 of last 7 games (Club Friendly Games).Comparison of Teams Stats
Other predictions
