Odds Ballklubb vs. Borussia Dortmund: Team News and Preview

Borussia Dortmund kick off their final UEFA Europa League qualifier against Norwegian side Odd on Thursday when they travel to the Skagerak Arena Skien for the first leg of the tie.

There, Thomas Tuchel's side will have a fantastic opportunity to put the tie beyond any doubt with an away goal or two before welcoming the Tippeligaen side back to the Westfalenstadion next week.

Dortmund fans will be desperate for a long run in the Europa League this season with UEFA Champions League football at least a season away, and that run begins on Thursday night against the Norwegian minnows.

Date: Thursday, August 20

Time: 7:30 p.m. BST/2:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Skagerak Arena Skien, Norway

TV Info: Not available (UK Only)/Not available (U.S. Only)

Form 

Odds Ballklubb	Borussia Dortmund
Start - win	Gladbach - win
Molde - win	Chemnitzer FC - win
Elfsborg - win	RZ Pellets WAC - win
Mjondalen - win	RZ Pellets WAC - win
Elfsborg - loss	Luzern - win

Team News and Lineups

Although Dortmund don't have any real injury concerns, Tuchel has taken a number of luxuries with regards to this away match by resting some of his key players with the hope of keeping them fresh for the weekend's Bundesliga game.

DW Sports reported that Marco Reus, Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski did not fly to Norway for the match.

Reus will be the major concern for travelling Dortmund fans. According to DW Sports, Tuchel said his absence is a "precautionary measure."

Although the star forward's absence would usually worry fans of the Black and Yellow, the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Shinji Kagawa and Gonzalo Castro should prove more than enough for the Norwegian opponents on the day.

Odd have reported no major injury concerns, with many predicting the side to stick with the same formation and lineup as previous games.

Players to Watch

With Reus watching the game from the comfort of his own home on Thursday night, the responsibility to score and create goals on mass will undoubtedly fall upon the newly competent shoulders of Mkhitaryan.

The Armenian forward has looked like a new player this season, scoring and assisting with pleasure across all competitions. If anyone can lead Dortmund on the night, it's Mkhitaryan.

Elsewhere in the side, Dortmund fans will hope to see young talent Pascal Stenzel at right-back with both Erik Durm and Piszczek missing Thursday's game.

Although a central defender by trade, the youngster has played at full-back in the past and excelled when called upon for the first team.