Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The match of the weekend in the German top flight sees Bayer Leverkusen face Borussia Dortmund after both were victorious midweek in the Champions League.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – ESPN+
Bayer Leverkusen preview: Perfect week
In what was no doubt the finest week of Kasper Hjulmand’s short spell so far as head coach, Bayer Leverkusen not only defeated Wolfsburg away by three goals to one in the Bundesliga, they also went on the road to Pep Guardiola’s Man City and emerged with a shocking 0-2 victory, taking full advantage of Guardiola fielding a rotated starting XI.
With the likes of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden on the bench, Leverkusen took full advantage with the help of an excellent performance from goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Alejandro Grimaldo opened the scoring before Patrik Schick sealed victory in the second half.
Borussia Dortmund preview: Unable to hold on
Whilst Borussia Dortmund were also victorious in midweek, comfortably beating Villarreal in the Champions League, the frustration of failing to put away Stuttgart in the Bundesliga may well still be eating away at Niko Kovac and his squad. After leading 2-0 at half time, Dortmund were pegged back in the second half before Fabio Silva looked to have secured victory. But Stuttgart responded again, this time in second half stoppage time to rescue a point.
That result saw Bayer Leverkusen end the round above Dortmund in the table, despite the latter having lost just once the course of this league campaign so far. The visitors are at least unbeaten in their last four Bundesliga fixtures.
Bayer Leverkusen team news: Quansah in or out
Hjulmand has a big decision to make regarding Jarell Quansah and whether to keep him in the starting line-up after he started and played his part in the clean sheet recorded over Man City. Captain Robert Andrich could move back into midfield and replace Ibrahim Maza is Quansah is retained. Arthur faces a late fitness test on a big problem.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Flekken; Quansah, Bade, Tapsoba; Poku, Andrich, Garcia, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Schick, Tillman
Unavailable: Blaswich (Injured), Fernandez (Injured), Palacios (Injured), Tape (thigh), Vazquez (Injured)
Questionable: Arthur (Injured)
Borussia Dortmund team news: Who to start in attack
Whilst Serhou Guirassy place in the starting line-up isn’t in question, who plays on either side of him certainly is, with the likes of Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt and Carney Chukwuemeka likely fighting for just two positions. Defender Niklas Sule is rule out and attacker Max Beier is doubtful.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Kobel; Anton, Can, Schlotterbeck; Ryerson, Gross, Nmecha, Svensson; Adeyemi, Guirassey, Chukwuemeka
Unavailable: Sule (Injured)
Questionable: Beier (Injured)
Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund prediction
A fixture with plenty riding on it between two sides each in great form and both trying to chase down the runaway train that is Bayern Munich. With both Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt breathing down their respective necks, a draw wouldn’t be seen as idea for either club, but at the same time, neither can afford to lose and give up three points to a fellow Champions League contender.
Although Borussia Dortmund’s last clash against a direct rival for Champions League qualification was a goal-fest, don’t expect the same this time round. Niko Kovac will surely tighten them up after that, whilst Bayer Leverkusen proved their defensive capabilities against elite opposition in midweek. The match outcome itself is tough to call with just three defeats between the two teams in the Bundesliga this season. With that in mind, back under 2.5 goals to be scored at the BayArena.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund tip: Under 2.5 goals
