After separating themselves from the pack even additional final week in Stuttgart (in what felt like considerably of a ), Dortmund are returning dwelling with fewer worries each different week. They’ve absolutely arrange store in second place, 11 factors away from the following finest Leipzig, and 14 factors faraway from a Europa League ticket. A place that feels remarkably unfitting contemplating how second-rate Dortmund have performed this season, with the latest being yet one more instance of the ugliness of their success.
Be that as it might, Leverkusen have had a bizarre, combined bag of a season themselves. Kasper Hjulmand has steered the 2024 champions in an appropriate path after they hit the eject button on Erik Ten Hag on Matchday 2. They’re undefeated of their final six league video games, and one other three-pointer on Saturday is completely important in the event that they wish to stay within the hunt for UCL nights subsequent season, as they’re presently 4 factors behind 4th.
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Dortmund will as soon as once more be pressured to fill the void in midfield left by Felix Nmecha’s absence, a problem they weren’t capable of grasp final weekend. Can BVB make it 5 wins on the trot for Ole E book’s dwelling premiere?
Participant to Watch: Montrell Culbreath
The now 18-year-old left the youth academy of FC Kaiserslautern for Die Werkself in 2023 and has since not solely change into an everyday starter for them but additionally signed his first skilled contract on the finish of January. He was capable of rating on his Bundesliga debut towards Leipzig, working as an offensive chaos agent off the bench. Now primarily being utilized as a wingback below Hjulmand, who trusts him unwaveringly, Leverkusen have possible found a brand new Jeremie Frimpong-like weapon.
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He should have remaining exams to organize for, however that shouldn’t maintain him again from making an impression this Saturday.
Predicted Lineup
Probably the most beloved man in all of Stuttgart, Karim Adeyemi, is sadly suspended for this match. Nonetheless, I don’t foresee any main changes to the standard XI. I might begin Silva forward of Guirassy, not simply due to his world-class help every week in the past, however as a result of he’s flat-out the higher participant at this level. Julian Brandt might additionally very effectively begin, however I really feel he works higher coming off the bench. Is it time we see extra of Samuele Inacio?
I feel we are going to as soon as once more wrestle with out Nmecha current to attach midfield to remaining third. However hopefully the aura of the Westfalenstadion carries us by means of the end line. (How a lot black magic do we’ve got left within the tank, Niko?)
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Bayer 04 Leverkusen