After a month-long winter break, fans can look forward to the resumption of Bundesliga once again. And the first match following the winter break is a big one, as title challengers Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen face each other in a game that could have massive repercussions on the title race.
The 2024/25 Bundesliga title race is heating up, and Bayer Leverkusen are firmly in the mix. Just four points behind league leaders Bayern Munich, Xabi Alonso’s men know they can’t afford any slip-ups. Currently sitting second in the standings with 32 points after 15 matches, Die Werkself are in prime position to keep the pressure on Bayern. After hitting a rough patch earlier in the season, where they managed just one win in six games across all competitions, Leverkusen have rediscovered their spark. They’re now riding an impressive nine-game winning streak that dates back to November. During this dominant run, they’ve showcased their mettle by knocking Bayern Munich out of the DFB-Pokal and delivering emphatic victories against RB Salzburg, Heidenheim, and Freiburg.
With momentum firmly on their side, Alonso’s squad will be eager to extend their streak with a crucial win over Borussia Dortmund tonight. However, the winter break could prove to be a pivotal factor in shaping this clash. Unlike Leverkusen, who surged into the break on a high, Dortmund had a rocky end to their first half of the season. While they managed wins over Wolfsburg and Freiburg, they found themselves languishing in sixth place with just 25 points.
For Dortmund, the winter break may have come as a much-needed reset. Nuri Şahin’s tenure as head coach has had its challenges, with consistency proving elusive. That said, a victory tonight at the iconic Signal Iduna Park could reignite belief among fans and offer a glimpse that Şahin might be the right man to steer the ship. It’s a match packed with stakes, where Dortmund will look to rediscover their spark while Leverkusen aim to stay firmly in the title race.
Date: 11th January 2025
Time: 1:00 AM (IST)
Stadium: Signal Iduna Park
Location: Dortmund, Germany
Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Nmecha, Can; Bynoe-Gittens, Brandt, Beier; Guirassy.
Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Tella, Wirtz; Schick.
Goalkeeper: Lucas Hradecky (Bayer)
Defenders: Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer), Nico Schlotterbeck (Dortmund), Ryerson (Dortmund), Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer)
Midfielders: Florian Wirtz (Bayer), Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (Dortmund), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer), Julian Brandt (Dortmund)
Forwards: Sehrou Guirassy (Dortmund), Patrick Schick (Bayer)
Choice 1: Florian Wirtz (C), Jeremie Frimpong (VC)
Choice 2: Sehrou Guirassy (C), Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (VC)
The author has provided you with the above-mentioned match prediction on the basis of his research, understanding, and analysis, consider the points and make your own decision.
ScoreWaves © 2024 Copyright. All Rights Reserved.