Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund predictions and betting tips – Who are Bayern Munich’s main challengers?

Bayern Munich are overwhelming favourites to win the Bundesliga title, and it is hard to see anyone keeping pace with them over the course of a 34-game campaign. If anyone can, though, it will probably be one of these two teams.

Will Bayer Leverkusen or Borussia Dortmund triumph at the BayArena this weekend?

• Bayer Leverkusen to win – 10/7 with 247bet
• Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals – 6/5 with Sky Bet
• Jonas Hofmann to score any time – 10/3 with Paddy Power

Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund odds

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Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund predictions

Before they could turn their focus to Saturday’s showdown at the BayArena, both Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund had European business to attend to in midweek.

They both had a successful time. Leverkusen sprang a surprise at the Etihad Stadium, beating Manchester City 2-0 to make it back-to-back victories in the Champions League.

Pep Guardiola shuffled his pack for the visit of Kasper Hjulmand’s side, but Leverkusen deserve credit for taking full advantage. Goals from Alex Grimaldo and Patrik Schick either side of half-time earned them a memorable win in Manchester.

Borussia Dortmund, for their part, registered a 4-0 thrashing of Villarreal. BVB have now taken 10 points from their first five outings, putting them in a strong position as they seek a top-eight finish in the league phase.

The two teams are now poised to turn their attention back to domestic matters. A title challenge remains the aim for both Leverkusen and Dortmund, although much will depend on Bayern Munich.

Vincent Kompany’s men are setting a ferocious pace at the summit of the standings, having taken 31 points from the first 33 available. If they continue like that, there will not be a title race in Germany.

Yet the likes of Leverkusen, Dortmund and second-placed RB Leipzig must think positively. Bayern are playing sensationally at the moment, but a couple of sub-par performances could open the door to the chasing pack.

With 25 points to their name, Leipzig are closest to top spot at present. Leverkusen (23 points) and Dortmund (22 points) are slightly further back, and neither team will want to fall any further behind Bayern before the winter break.

At least one of these sides will drop points on Saturday, however, and perhaps the winner of this match will emerge as Bayern’s most likely challengers.

The form book favours Leverkusen, who have really picked up under Hjulmand. The sacking of Erik ten Hag after just two games in charge raised eyebrows, but Leverkusen’s decision has been vindicated by subsequent results. Since September 1, only Bayern have collected more points.

Dortmund have won only two of their last five Bundesliga outings. Back-to-back draws with Hamburg and Stuttgart have seen them lose further ground on Bayern, although Niko Kovac’s men have only lost once in the league this season.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund betting tips

Bayer Leverkusen face Borussia Dortmund in the standout fixture of the Bundesliga weekend.

Home advantage could be key

“This is a night we will remember for a long time,” Hjulmand said of Tuesday’s 2-0 triumph over Manchester City.

Bayer Leverkusen should certainly be proud of their display against the Premier League outfit, but they must quickly refocus on Borussia Dortmund.

BVB have improved markedly under Kovac, who has made them a much tougher team to play against. As mentioned above, only Bayern have beaten them in the Bundesliga this term, and that was a slender 2-1 win.

But Leverkusen have found their feet under Hjulmand, who has impressed in his first few months at the helm.

With home advantage on their side, we reckon Leverkusen will come out on top here.

Back Bayer Leverkusen to win at 10/7 with 247bet

Entertainment awaits in Leverkusen

Borussia Dortmund have scored in 100 percent of their 17 matches in all competitions this term.

It is an impressive record and one which shows that Bayer Leverkusen’s defence will be tested on Saturday.

Yet Leverkusen have had considerable success at introducing ball to net too, drawing only one blank in their 17 games to date.

A clean sheet is therefore likely to elude both teams. We also like the look of over 2.5 goals, which has paid out in four of the last five Bundesliga encounters featuring Leverkusen.

Tip both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 6/5 with Sky Bet

Hofmann a good value pick

As well as losing manager Xabi Alonso in the summer, Bayer Leverkusen also bade farewell to several players.

Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah were among those to depart, but Leverkusen kept hold of players like Grimaldo, Schick and Robert Andrich. 

Additionally, others have stepped up to take on bigger roles. Jonas Hofmann only featured 11 times in the Bundesliga last season, but he has become an important part of Hjulmand’s team.

The pair previously worked together at Mainz for a brief period and Hjulmand seems to know how to get the best out of the wing-back.

Hofmann has scored in his last two league games, and it is worth a punt on him making it three in a row.

Select Jonas Hofmann to score any time at 10/3 with Paddy Power

Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund predicted lineups

• Bayer Leverkusen expected lineup: Flekken; Tapsoba, Bade, Quansah; Hofmann, Garcia, Maza, Grimaldo; Poku, Tillman, Schick.
• Borussia Dortmund expected lineup: Kobel; Anton, Can, Schlotterbeck; Couto, Nmecha, Sabitzer, Svensson; Adeyemi, Guirassy, Brandt.

Where to watch Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund

• Location: BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany.
• Date and time: Saturday 29th November, 5.30pm.
• How to watch: Sky Sports Football.

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About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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