Bundesliga Preview | Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen: Last chance Leverkusen? | OneFootball

One of the stand-out fixtures during matchday 29 in the Bundesliga is Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. With BVB comfortably in control of second position, it looks fairly clear that they will once again play bridesmaid at yet another Bayern Munich coronation. However, for Leverkusen, it’s a matter of pushing for Champions League football with no more mistakes. Three points could put them within a point of fourth spot, but a loss and it’s all but over for the former Bundesliga winners. 

Borussia Dortmund

Two more wins from their final six games and BVB will have secured second spot in this season’s Bundesliga. With nothing else to play for, it’s a matter of pride and achieving the highest points tally possible for Niko Kovač’s side. Whilst Dortmund haven’t set the Bundesliga alight with sensational football this season (at times, far from it!), if they could go a whole season just losing two games, you have to admire the transformation Kovač has achieved in his first full season as head coach. 

It will also be something to build on for next year and a possible bargaining chip when it comes to recruitment this summer. A case of, this is what we did last season, and with these new additions, we can look to bridge the gap to Bayern. 

Speaking of transfers, let’s address the Nico Schlotterbeck-shaped elephant in the room. 

As reported by GGFN’s Daniel Pinder earlier this week, Nico Schlotterbeck’s future at Borussia Dortmund remains uncertain, with managing director Lars Ricken explaining the defender has three options. 

As of right now, discussions appear to have come to a standstill following the departure of Sebastian Kehl. Talks will start up again shortly, but no one is yet sure what the most likely outcome is. 

Bayer Leverkusen

Whilst it is most certainly a football cliché, this is Leverkusen’s biggest game of the season so far. With six games remaining and four points off fourth spot, they can not afford slip-ups anymore if they want to play Champions League football next season. 

A win against Dortmund on Saturday wouldn’t only be a massive boost for the players, but it could potentially put them within a point of fourth should other results go their way. Whilst Hoffenheim, Leipzig, and Stuttgart have ‘easier’ games on paper, at this point in the season, nothing should be taken for granted. 

Within their last six Bundesliga fixtures, Leverkusen have to play Leipzig at home and Stuttgart away. A win this weekend would step up those two games perfectly in what would ultimately decide the fate of their season, not to mention the amount of money they stand to gain or miss out on. 

It’s also important to mention that due to results in the Champions League earlier this week, the Bundesliga will not receive the additional Champions League spot – meaning it will only be the top four who qualify. Instead, the Premier League and La Liga look set to benefit. 

Team News

Borussia Dortmund

For BVB, they will have to do without the suspended Karim Adeyemi, who netted an excellent goal against Stuttgart last weekend. Additionally, Emre Can and Felix Nmecha are still sidelined through injury. 

Bayer Leverkusen

The big injury concern for B04 is Liverpool loanee Jarell Quansah. The central defender also missed last weekend’s match against Wolfsburg due to a thigh problem. Long-term injuries to Arthur and Lucas Vazquez still show no sign of a return, whilst Martin Terrier is also unlikely to feature due to an ongoing hamstring issue. 

GGFN | Jamie Allen