Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 11/4

Bookmaker: 888sport

The German Bundesliga continues to roll on and while Bayern Munich are beginning to establish a nice lead for themselves at the top of the table, that doesn’t mean the chasing pack need to just roll over and hand them the championship again. There are plenty of contenders who have it in them to really push Bayern all the way in this battle, and two of them will square off later this week – Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund.

Bayer Leverkusen

While they may have the reputation of a club who is capable of beating just about anyone on their day, Bayer Leverkusen haven’t quite been able to live up to their historic reputation on a consistent basis in the last few years. Sure, they managed to ascend to the top of the Bundesliga table earlier on this season, but they seem to be slipping out of contention pretty rapidly – and they need to do something to stop that decline.

Team News

The list of players who are out of action for Leverkusen speaks for itself, starting with Fosu-Mensah who has to quarantine after his arrival from Manchester United. Wirtz, Alario, Bender and Bellarabi are all doubts with the latter still working his way back from a broken hand, with the following players officially ruled out through injury: Palacios, Arias, Paulinho and Weiser.

Borussia Dortmund

They’re so often known as the closest challengers to Bayern Munich when the title race gets into the nitty gritty months, but for whatever reason, things haven’t quite gone to plan for Borussia Dortmund so far this season. They are currently sat seven points off the pace of their regular rivals, and even though they’ve got some of the most creative players in the league, that hasn’t been the silver bullet many thought it’d be.

Team News

Reyna is tipped to return to the starting XI after missing the weekend through illness, however, Can will miss out after picking up a fifth yellow card, leading to a suspension. Hazard, Witsel, Schmelzer and Zagadou are all going to miss the game through injury.

Factors to Consider

• Leverkusen and Dortmund are in 3rd and 4th place respectively, both with 29 points after 16 games.
• Leverkusen have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games.
• Dortmund have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six games.
• Leverkusen have scored 11 goals and conceded seven in their last six games.
• Dortmund have scored 11 goals and conceded five in their last six games.

Conclusion

There’s going to be an interesting clash of styles on display when these two clubs meet, but when push comes to shove, we don’t think either is going to do enough to secure the win. Dortmund should be able to take control for the early portion of the game, but in their own house, we just feel like Leverkusen are going to do what they need to do in order to take home a point. Therefore, our official scoreline prediction is going to be 1-1.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 11/4

Bookmaker: 888sport