Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund

BayArena is the venue as Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund lock horns in a mouth-watering Bundesliga showdown.

A dramatic 2-2 draw at Freiburg last weekend saw Bayer Leverkusen surrender their Bundesliga crown to Bayern Munich. With two matches to go, ‘Die Werkself’ have nothing but pride left to play for, though winning would see Xabi Alonso leave the club on a high after announcing his departure earlier this week. Leverkusen have already locked down a runner-up finish, yet bragging rights are still at stake as they could pull off their first Bundesliga double over Borussia Dortmund since 2006/07. However, that could prove easier said than done, with Leverkusen winning just three of their 17 home H2Hs since that campaign (D7, L7). Furthermore, Alonso’s men have drawn three of their last four league outings (W1) to extend their unbeaten Bundesliga run to seven games (W4, D3).

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund will be out to halt Leverkusen’s incredible 27-match unbeaten streak in Sunday-held Bundesliga games (W18, D9) and stay within touching distance of fourth-placed Freiburg. Niko Kovac’s men trail the final Champions League qualifying spot by four points after winning their last three league matches via an aggregate score of 10-4, impressively netting 3+ goals on each occasion. However, Leverkusen have been a bogey team for Kovac, whose record across 11 managerial H2Hs (W2, D2, L7) perhaps best illustrates the size of the task ahead. But after a 3-2 victory at TSG Hoffenheim on their last Bundesliga road trip, Dortmund can win back-to-back away league games for the first time this term.