The Bundesliga returns from its winter break with a marquee fixture to raise the curtain for the second half of the season – Dortmund vs Leverkusen.
Dortmund will be looking to improve on their underwhelming campaign so far, which sees them in 6th, seven points behind reigning champions Leverkusen, who occupy 2nd place behind a resurgent Bayern Munich.
Both teams will be eager to begin the new year with fresh impetus, though they may have slightly different ambitions come the end of the season.
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Dortmund vs Leverkusen Preview
After a barely believable 2023-24 campaign which saw them crowned Bundesliga champions for the first time – unbeaten, no less – win the DFB-Pokal and reach the Europa League final, Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen set the bar extremely high.
They won’t be going unbeaten again, having lost just the one game in the league so far this season (2-3 vs Leipzig). But they may repeat the feat of winning the league, as they sit just four points off top spot.
Unsurprisingly, Leverkusen are reliant on the same spine of players that achieved legendary status last season, with Jonathan Tah, Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz all still key components. Wonderkid Wirtz remains the jewel in the crown of this team, contributing 14 goals/assists so far.
Things are not so positive at Signal Iduna Park, though, as Dortmund have been disappointing through the first 15 games. They are 6th, 11 points behind leaders Bayern but, of more relevance, just two points behind Leipzig in 4th. That being said, Nuri Sahin’s team are unbeaten in their last five in the league (two wins, three draws), so there are signs of the club’s form stabilising as they move into 2025.
It is likely to be a tightly-contested affair between these two teams, with the opportunity to begin the new year in the perfect way not to be missed.
Dortmund vs Leverkusen Odds
*All odds are subject to change
You can get a Dortmund win priced at 2.70, but the slight favourites for this one are Leverkusen, who are priced at 2.45. The draw is at 3.50.
Dortmund vs Leverkusen Betting Tips
Both Teams to Score – Yes @ 1.46
Excusing matches involving red cards, only one Dortmund Bundesliga fixture in 2024-25 has not seen both teams score, and that was on the opening matchday. And this is before we mention Dortmund’s miserly goal difference of just +6, scoring 28 but also conceding 22. We would be shocked if both teams did not score.
Total Goals – Over 3.5 @ 2.45
Staying on the theme of goals, we are expecting a fair few. Dortmund are famous for their dramatic matches, with Leverkusen adopting the penchant for the same throughout last year.
Correct Score – Dortmund 1-3 Leverkusen @ 16.00
It is a bold prediction, but a calculated one that works in conjunction with our other tips. Leverkusen to grab an away win to open the second half of the season.
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