By Toby Cudworth
Borussia Dortmund welcome newly crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen to Signal Iduna Park for a heavyweight Sunday afternoon clash.
Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen sealed a first-ever Bundesliga title by spanking Werder Bremen 5-0 last weekend, maintaining their remarkable unbeaten run. They then survived a scare against West Ham United in the Europa League on Thursday, booking their place in the semi-finals of the competition.
Dortmund also enjoyed great success in midweek, overcoming Diego Simeone's stoic Atletico Madrid to unexpectedly reach the semi-finals of the Champions League. Eden Terzic's side are, however, languishing in fifth in the Bundesliga after some serious inconsistency results wise.
Here's 90min's preview of a game many supporters are looking forward to.
What time does Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen kick-off?
- Location: Dortmund, Germany
- Stadium: Signal Iduna Park
- Date: Sunday 21 April
- Kick-off Time: 16:30 BST / 11:30 ET / 08:30 PT
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen H2H record (last five games)
- Borussia Dortmund: 3 wins
- Bayer Leverkusen: 1 win
- Draws: 1
- Last meeting: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Borussia Dortmund (3 December 2023)
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen on TV and live stream
Borussia Dortmund team news
Borussia Dortmund's huge win over Atletico Madrid in midweek boosted their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League, but a place in the Bundesliga top four is what's really needed.
Facing the unbeaten league leaders is probably the last thing Dortmund need, and they'll have to get the job done without the suspended Karim Adeyemi, who saw red in their last three outing against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Marco Reus could come into the side with Donyell Malen also sidelined with a thigh injury. Sebastien Haller and Ramy Bensebaini have ankle and knee injuries respectively.
Borussia Dortmund predicted lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen
Borussia Dortmund predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel, Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen, Sabitzer, Can, Sancho, Brandt, Reus, Fullkrug
Bayer Leverkusen team news
Xabi Alonso opted to rest Victor Boniface, Jeremie Frimpong and Edmond Tapsoba against West Ham on Thursday, but they were all were thrust into the action by the time 45 minutes had passed - Leverkusen comprehensively outplayed after dominating the first leg.
Luckily, the Spaniard's tactical tweaks halted West Ham's momentum, and Frimpong's late goal extended Leverkusen's unbeaten stretch to 44 games.
The trio may come straight back into the side here, such is the threat posed by Dortmund, but Amine Adli misses out through suspension. That could see Frimpong pushed further forward with Josip Stanisic starting at right wing-back, or Nathan Tella may keep his place despite being hauled off at London Stadium.
Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup vs Borussia Dortmund
Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Hradecky, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Tella, Wirtz; Boniface.
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen score prediction
Dortmund really need all three points to put the pressure on RB Leipzig, who will fancy their chances of winning away at Heidenheim on Saturday.
Standing in their way are the side who have dethroned Bayern Munich after 11 long Bundesliga years, and even though the title is now safely tucked under Leverkusen's belt, they have the chance to complete a famous unbeaten treble.
Tough tests against VfB Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt await, as does a mouthwatering Europa League semi-final clash with Roma, but Dortmund will not be underestimated by Leverkusen after their midweek exploits. Goals are pretty much guaranteed, with a share of the spoils a distinct possibility too.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen
READ THE LATEST BUNDESLIGA NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP
This article was originally published on 90min.com as Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen: Preview, predictions and lineups.
