Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds

Xabi Alonso eyes a big win for Die Werkself against Dortmund.

In the heart of Dortmund, where the industrial legacy of coal and steel intertwines with the vibrant spirit of Westphalian culture, the opening fixture of the Matchweek 16 of Bundesliga takes us to Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, where Borussia Dortmund are scheduled to lock horns against Bayer Leverkusen.

Borussia Dortmund currently sit 6th in the Bundesliga table after 15 matches, accumulating 25 points from seven victories. Their form has been inconsistent, but their upcoming clash against Bayer Leverkusen presents an opportunity to climb higher. Playing at home, Dortmund will aim to capitalize on their advantage and secure a crucial win to strengthen their position in the league.

A victory against Leverkusen could see Dortmund leapfrog Eintracht Frankfurt and claim the third spot, a significant boost for their season aspirations. The match is pivotal for Dortmund as they strive to maintain momentum and stay in contention for a Champions League berth.

⏳ Freitag geht's wieder los. Wir gegen den Deutschen Meister. Seid Ihr da!? 😍#BeThere pic.twitter.com/yl1ks45Aah

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) January 7, 2025

After a shaky start in the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen have returned to their best, currently sitting second in the league table. Their recent form has been impeccable, with a perfect win streak in their last five matches. Leverkusen now trail Bayern Munich by just four points and will be eager to maintain their momentum to narrow the gap with the league leaders.

Leverkusen aim to continue their dominant run with a statement victory against Borussia Dortmund in the upcoming clash. A win would not only bolster their league campaign but also serve as a confidence boost before facing formidable opponents like Atletico Madrid in their crucial UEFA Champions League fixtures.

Kick-Off:

Saturday, 11 January 2025, at 01:00 AM IST

Location: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany

Form:

Borussia Dortmund (in all competitions): W-D-L-D-D

Leverkusen (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-W

Players to Watch

Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund)

Gregor Kobel, the 27-year-old Swiss goalkeeper from Zurich, began his professional career with TSG Hoffenheim before joining Borussia Dortmund in 2021. Since then, he has made 96 appearances for the club, establishing himself as a reliable presence between the posts. Kobel has also represented the Switzerland national team, though often as a backup option. However, his potential and performances for Dortmund suggest he could step up as a key figure for his country in the future.

At Dortmund, Kobel played a pivotal role in their impressive 2023-24 UEFA Champions League campaign, where the team reached the final but fell short against Real Madrid. His experience and consistency remain crucial for Dortmund as they aim to secure success in both domestic and European competitions.

Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen)

Alejandro Grimaldo, the 29-year-old Spanish left-wing back, has been a pivotal figure in modern football. After rising through Barcelona’s reserve team and shining at Benfica, where he made 197 appearances and scored 19 goals, he joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2023. Grimaldo became instrumental under Xabi Alonso, contributing significantly to Leverkusen’s remarkable 2024 treble-winning campaign, clinching the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and DFL Supercup titles.

Grimaldo also showcased his brilliance on the international stage, helping Spain secure the UEFA Euro 2024 title. The year 2024 has been a career-defining one for Grimaldo, and as he enters the new year, his focus remains on maintaining this exemplary form for both club and country, solidifying his status as one of the world’s finest left-wing backs.

Match Facts

• Dortmund have nearly 43% win accuracy against Leverkusen.
• Leverkusen have won all out of their last five matches.
• Dortmund have lost one fixture in their last five matches.

Betting Tips & Odds

• Tip 1: Leverkusen to win the match – 29/20 with Bet365
• Tip 2: Granit Xhaka to be the first scorer – 14/1 with William Hill
• Tip 3: Borussia Dortmund 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen – 14/1 with Skybet

Injury and Team News

Borussia Dortmund will be without the services of Niklas Sule and Pascal Grob for the upcoming fixture. The latter picked a red card in the previous clash and is set to miss the upcoming game.

Leverkusen, on the other hand, will most likely miss the presence of Jeanuel Belocian in the upcoming encounter.

Head-to-Head

Total Matches: 106

Borussia Dortmund won: 46

Leverkusen won: 33

Draws: 27

Predicted Lineups

Borussia Dortmund Predicted Lineup (4-1-3-2):

Kobel (GK); Couto, Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Nmecha; Malen, Brandt, Gittens; Beier, Guirassy

Leverkusen Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):

Hradecky (GK); Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Tella, Wirtz; Schick

Match Prediction

Leverkusen are back in their beast mode and they have maintained a 100% winning streak in their last five matches. We expect them to extend their winning streak with a win over the reigning European Champions League finalists.

Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen

Telecast details

India – SonyLiv, Sony Sports Network

UK – Sky Sports Mix, Sky Go UK

US –  ESPN+

Nigeria – StarTimes App, Canal+ Sport 1 Afrique

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.