The ambitious team from Signal Iduna Park made a poor bet on the coaching potential of their former player, Nuri Şahin. Only a timely replacement with Niko Kovač and a surge at the end of last season allowed them to snatch fourth place.
Thus, the Germans played in the Champions League again, although they were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs—despite having beaten Atalanta 2-0 at home. Their cup run ended early too, ironically losing to Bayer on this very field. However, in the Bundesliga, they’re confidently in second place, though the gap to Bayern already looks hopeless. Even so, they managed a solid 2-0 win over Stuttgart.
The Leverkusen club, after their “golden double” in 2024, lost ground everywhere—finishing second in the Bundesliga and losing in the cup semifinals to modest Arminia. After Xabi Alonso’s departure, ten Hag’s tenure was disastrous. Luckily, it was short, and Julmann, who took over in autumn, turned things around. Under him, they reached the cup semifinals, and only Arsenal stopped them in the Champions League. However, they haven’t managed to return to the top four in the Bundesliga, especially since they have barely won since late February. Against Wolfsburg, though, they broke the drought: a 6-3 victory.
The vice-championship contender averages 2.14 goals scored and concedes half as many—one per match. Schick and company are less impressive: 2.07 goals per game for, but 1.39 against.
Previous Matches: Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer
In the last four meetings, both teams have two wins each—all away victories.
The hosts are simply stronger and more stable. We expect them to win (odds – 1.95).
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer: Key Stats and Trends
Borussia Dortmund have won four matches in a row
54% of Borussia Dortmund’s matches end with goals from both sides, with an average total of 3.14 goals per match
Bayer have won only twice in their last ten matches
61% of Bayer’s matches end with both teams scoring and the average total goals per match is 3.46
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer: Probable Starting Lineups
Borussia Dortmund play with a 1-3-3-2-2 setup (probable lineup): Kobel – Schlotterbeck, Anton, Reggiani – Svensson, Nmecha, Bellingham – Sabitzer, Ryerson, Adeyemi, Bayer. Can and Mané are injured.
Bayer play with a 1-4-1-4-1 formation (probable lineup): Flekken – Grimaldo, Quansah, Andrich, Calbret – Garcia, Palacios – Poku, Tillman, Maza – Schick. Terje, Lucas Vázquez and Arthur are unavailable.
