Borussia Dortmund and Athletic Bilbao meet on Wednesday night in the Champions League, with both sides chasing their first group-stage win of the campaign. Dortmund’s European journey began in thrilling fashion with a chaotic 4-4 draw at Juventus, while Athletic were left frustrated in a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on their return to the competition.
Dortmund’s clash with Juventus was a classic, with BVB looking certain for victory after taking a 4-2 lead into stoppage time. However, late lapses saw the Italians snatch two goals and a share of the spoils. Still, Niko Kovac’s men remain unbeaten in all competitions this season and head into this fixture buoyed by a 2-0 Bundesliga win over Mainz at the weekend. Their strong start sees them secure second spot in the league, just two points behind Bayern Munich.
Salut! 👋#BVBATH pic.twitter.com/q8vPBJfQQ2
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) September 30, 2025
| Bets | Moneyline | Moneyline |
| Full Time Result | Borussia Dortmund: -118, Athletic Bilbao: +300 | Draw: +275 |
| Draw No Bet | Borussia Dortmund: -625 | Athletic Bilbao: +360 |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5: -125 | Under 2.5: -110 |
| Borussia Dortmund to Win and Both Teams to Score | Yes: +260 | No: +210 |
| Athletic Bilbao to Win and Both Teams to Score | Yes: +575 | No: +550 |
(Odds via BetMGM)
Athletic Bilbao travel to Germany on the back of a difficult run of form. Ernesto Valverde’s side began the season brightly with three consecutive La Liga wins, but September has been far less kind. Defeats to Alaves, Arsenal, Valencia and Villarreal have derailed their early momentum, with just one draw against Girona to show for their last five outings. That downturn has left them in mid-table in Spain and struggling for consistency.
This campaign marks Athletic’s first Champions League appearance since 2014-15. Notably, their last season’s Europa League run ended in the semi-finals at the hands of Manchester United. The Basques will view this trip as an opportunity to reset. However, their lack of form on the road could be a concern heading into such a demanding fixture.
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Recent form points to a tight game. Dortmund have registered back-to-back league clean sheets (1-0 vs Wolfsburg, 2-0 at Mainz) and three shutouts in their last four domestic games. Athletic Bilbao arrive blunt up front: just one goal across their last four in all comps (0-2 vs Arsenal, 0-2 at Valencia, 1-1 vs Girona, 0-1 at Villarreal). With both sides seeking a first UCL win after tough openers, a controlled, low-tempo contest feels more likely than a shootout. As a result, it makes the Under 2.5 goals a sensible play here.
Guirassy was only a precautionary absentee vs. Mainz and Niko Kovac has confirmed he’s fit now. Guirassy is in fine form with 5 goals in 6 appearances this season and will spearhead a Dortmund attack that generates a steady stream of chances for its No.9. So, backing Dortmund’s hottest finisher to bag a goal here feels like a solid bet.
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Dortmund’s home advantage and recent momentum make them clear favourites. However, Athletic have the tools to frustrate them with their disciplined defensive shape and pressing game. If Valverde’s men can rediscover the sharpness they showed at the start of the season, they could make life uncomfortable for the Germans. Even so, BVB’s attacking firepower and unbeaten streak suggest they will be difficult to stop under the lights at Signal Iduna Park.
Final Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Athletic Bilbao
Bettors can explore a variety of betting options on BetMGM, including full-time results, over/under goals, and player props for this clash.
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