Bayer Leverkusen vs. Borussia Dortmund preview: Die Werkself looking to extend lead
Following the postponement of Bayern Munich's home meeting with Union Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen will attempt to extend their two-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga table when they play host to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.
| Xabi Alonso | Bayer 04 Leverkusen |
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen will carry significant momentum into Sunday’s contest after putting together a 14-game winning run in all competitions. Since returning from the international break, die Werkself have claimed consecutive away victories against Werder Bremen and Hacken in the Bundesliga and Europa League respectively. They cruised to a 3-0 win over Bremen, before goals from Victor Boniface and Patrik Schick guided Leverkusen to a 2-0 victory in Thursday’s trip to Sweden.
As a result of those victories, Leverkusen have now recorded four consecutive clean sheets to help maintain their unbeaten record in the 2023-24 season. While they have been strong defensively, Xabi Alonso’s side have also been clinical in the final third, scoring at least two goals in each of their 12 top-flight matches. Having netted 37 league goals this season, they head into Sunday’s contest as the Bundesliga’s second-highest scorers.
After losing their last two home games against Dortmund, Leverkusen are hoping to beat die Schwarzgelben at BayArena for the first time since January 2021.
Team News
Leverkusen have reported no fresh injury issues, although they are still unable to call upon the services of Arthur.
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund head into Sunday’s contest in fifth position and two points adrift of RB Leipzig, who claimed a narrow 2-1 victory over Heidenheim on Saturday. While their main priority will be to move back into the top four, Dortmund are also hoping to close the 10-point gap to their opponents.
After suffering back-to-back defeats in the league, Dortmund would have been fearing another loss when they went two goals down in the opening 28 minutes of last Saturday’s away clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, Die Schwarzgelben produced an impressive response to score three goals to turn the contest in their favour before half time. Donyell Malen added a fourth goal late on to wrap up all three points.
Edin Terzic’s side then went on to record an impressive 3-1 win over AC Milan in midweek to secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League. After enjoying success in Italy, Dortmund will now turn their attention to Sunday’s tricky contest, where they will attempt to end Leverkusen’s unbeaten record. They may be able to take confidence from the fact they recorded a league double over die Werkself last season. They claimed a narrow 1-0 home win in August 2022, before they picked up a 2-0 victory in January’s away meeting.
Team News
Niklas Süle, Ramy Bensebaini and Salih Özcan are doubts due to illness. Meanwhile,
Julien Duranville and Felix Nmecha are ruled out due to thigh and hip injuries respectively.