The next acid test for the new champions
On Sunday, Signal Iduna Park will host a top-of-the-table clash between two teams whose chests could hardly be broader, not least because of their performances in Europe. Both teams have had to overcome a number of problems, but have each punched their ticket to a European semi-final in tricky matches. The fact that both coaches will now almost inevitably have to rotate in view of the enormous loss of strength must definitely be taken into account in the betting tip for Dortmund v Leverkusen
In principle, it would be obvious to predict a high-scoring match between Dortmund and Leverkusen. In reality, however, this match has rarely been as spectacular as the label on it beforehand. In none of the last three meetings between the two teams, of which BVB have not lost a game (two wins, one draw), have more than two goals been scored
While the Werkself will be looking to extend their unbeaten run so that they can prepare for a league game in peace for a whole week, Dortmund are in desperate need of points if they are to make it back into the Champions League. The Black & Yellows will therefore have to produce more, which will allow the visitors to play with ball security and transitional situations and to celebrate the poisonous Bayer soccer that contributed significantly to their groundbreaking success.
A tactical match is certainly to be expected. In addition to our main betting recommendation of under 3.5 goals in total, it also makes a lot of sense to bet on a low-scoring first half. Odds of 1.65 are available at Happybet for under 1.5 goals before the break.
Dortmund – Statistics & current form
It was an absolutely magical evening for Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday as they demystified Atlético Madrid 4:2 and booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals. They will now face Paris Saint-Germain again.
However, securing fourth place is at least as high a priority for BVB. Due to the surprisingly strong performance of the German teams, it is highly likely that a fifth Champions League starting place will go to the Bundesliga. But until there is 100% certainty, the Westphalians cannot rely on it in the tight neck-and-neck race with Leipzig for fourth place
Dortmund are unusually vulnerable at home in 2023/24
If the Red Bulls win in Heidenheim on Saturday, Borussia would be under pressure to win at home against the unbeaten Werkself. The Westphalians undoubtedly have the potential to end the Rhinelanders’ streak.
However, it should be noted that BVB have only just lost a home game against a top team in Stuttgart by 0:1. It was the Black & Yellows’ fourth home defeat in a Bundesliga match in the 2023/24 season. Borussia have only lost more home games once in the last 15 years (five in 2014/15), which makes betting tip 2 an option for Dortmund v Leverkusen
Dortmund recently picked up 15 out of a possible 18 points
Nonetheless, BVB not only have the confidence of the 4-2 home win against the Rojiblancos, but also a good overall series. After all, the 0-1 draw against the Swabians was the only point lost in the last six Bundesliga games, five of which were won.
In addition, the Westphalians have a very positive record against the Rhinelanders. Anyone who wants to argue that Leverkusen are a different team under Xabi Alonso should also bear in mind that Borussia Dortmund have not lost either of the two Bundesliga games against the Werkself in which the Basque has been on the bench (one win, one draw).
Predicted Dortmund line-up:
Leverkusen – Statistics & current form
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have had an absolutely historic week. First, the Black & Reds became the 13th Bundesliga champions in history with a commanding 5-0 home win over SV Werder Bremen, becoming the first team ever to go unbeaten in the first 29 matchdays of a season (25 wins, four draws) and setting a new points record with 79 points.
And then during the week, the Rhinelanders extended their unbeaten streak to 44 competitive matches with a hard-fought 1:1 in the Europa League at West Ham United, breaking an old record held by Juventus. This makes the Werkself the longest unbeaten team of all time in Europe’s top five leagues
Leverkusen staggered in London, but did not fall again
However, it didn’t take much for the series to be broken on Thursday evening on the Thames. The Rhinelanders fell behind early on, partly because a number of key players – above all Odilon Kossounou – had a pitch-black day.
However, Xabi Alonso drew the logical conclusions, made changes in the first half, made further adjustments at half-time and then coached his team to a not undeserved equalizer. The fact that the Werkself were able to successfully overcome such a complicated match shows all the more that a top team par excellence has grown together in Leverkusen
Leverkusen have the best defense in the Bundesliga
The Black & Reds have recently celebrated ten wins in a row in the Bundesliga. Nevertheless, the oddsmakers are offering balanced odds for Dortmund against Leverkusen, which also takes into account the fact that the championship is already in the bag.
The focus has inevitably shifted to the games against AS Roma in the Europa League semi-final and the DFB Cup final against Kaiserslautern. But if the Werkself can maintain their defensive stability at Signal Iduna Park, which has seen them concede just 19 goals in 29 league games (the best record in the league), Alonso’s side should be very difficult to bring to their knees in Dortmund.
Predicted Leverkusen line-up:
Dortmund – Leverkusen head-to-head comparison / H2H result
Head to head: 46 – 26 – 33
A total of 105 meetings have taken place between the two teams so far and Borussia Dortmund leads the direct comparison with 46 wins. Despite Bayer Leverkusen’s recent run of form, the game has also been in the hands of the Black & Yellows, who are unbeaten in three matches against the newly crowned champions (two wins, one draw).
Dortmund – Leverkusen betting tip
Basically, the prediction for Dortmund vs Leverkusen must take into account that the Black & Yellows are under pressure to win, while the Werkself should be able to live very well with the draw. However, it won’t be easy for BVB against the tough Rhinelanders. After all, Bayer 04 have not lost a single one of their 44 competitive matches in the 2023/24 season and passed an absolute test of toughness and character in London during the week
Although both teams know very well where the opposition’s goal is, there shouldn’t be too many goals in what is likely to be a very tactical top-of-the-table match given the two stable defensive lines. In our opinion, the greatest value is provided by the bet on under 3.5 goals, which would have always gone through in the last three meetings between the two clubs, in which a maximum of two goals was always scored.
For a maximum of three goals to be scored, betting odds of 1.70 are available for Dortmund against Leverkusen, which we play at Betano with five units
