Twitter-Borussia Dortmund
Bayer Leverkusen will be playing hosts to an in-form Borussia Dortmund unit for their 21st fixture in the Bundesliga this season. Leverkusen will be eager to bounce back with a win after sustaining a 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim in the league. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund is on a three-game winning run in the league as their new winter signing, Erik Haaland has hit the ground running from the word go. Dortmund with 39 points will have the opportunity to surpass Leipzig and be on level terms with arch-rivals, Bayern Munich provided they bag all three points on Saturday evening. Leverkusen on the other end is currently fifth with 34 points on board.
Match Details
Date- Saturday, February 8
Kick-Off- 11:00 PM (IST)
Venue- Bay Arena
Bayer Leverkusen
Edmond Taspoba is the new recruit from Vitoria Guimares. Kerem Demirbay misses out due to suspension. Julain Baumgartlinger is in doubt to start for the hosts due to a knee issue. Sven and Lars Bender could partner in defence, while, Daley Sinkgraven has recently returned from injury. Charles Aranguiz’s calf injury puts him out of contention for several weeks. Leon Bailey and Wendell have both returned from suspension and will be pushing for starts. Paulinho is away with Brazil on Olympic duty.
Borussia Dortmund
Emre Can who recently made a move from Juventus could make his very first start for the away side. Dan-Axel Zagadou has returned from a calf injury but might have to wait for a few more days before getting game time, Marcel Schmelzer could be in the team sheet after getting back from injury, but Thomas Delaney is still undergoing an ankle issue which puts him on the sidelines. Star striker, Erling Haaland has had a terrific start in the German League and should continue featuring uptop.
LEV (Expected Playing 11)- Hradecky; Sinkgraven,S Bender, Tah, L Bender; Palacios, Baumgartinger; Bellarbi, Havertz, Diaby; Volland
DOR (Expected Playing 11)- Burki; Can, Zagadou, Hummels; Hakimi, Brandt, Zagadou, Hummels; Hakimi, Brandt, Witsel, Guerreiro; Hazard, Sancho; Haaland
Bayer Leverkusen‘s Kevin Volland has seven goals, six assists and a pass accuracy of 72.9% from 1637 minutes in the Bundesliga this season.
19-year-old, Erling Haaland has made an instant impact for Dortmund and already has eight goals to his tally from just four appearances for his new club so far.
Kai Harvetz will be one of the key players for Leverkusen in midfield. Harvetz has four goals, two assists and a pass accuracy of 86.5% from 1444 minutes in the league this season.
Jadon Sancho has also been in sublime form for Borussia Dortmund ever since the start of the season. The attacking-midfielder has 12 goals, 12 assists and a pass accuracy of 84.4% from 18 appearances in the league this season.
From the last six encounters between the two sides, it’s Dortmund who has had the upper hand with five wins and a draw in contrast to Leverkusen’s zero wins.
Borussia Dortmund are the favourites to make it four wins out of four in the upcoming fixture.
Team 1
Goalkeeper- L Hradecky
Defenders- A Hakimi, M Hummels, J Tah
Midfielders- R Guerreiro, T Hazard, E Palacio, K Harvetz
Forwards- E Haaland (C), J Sancho (VC), K Volland
Team 2
Goalkeeper- L Hradecky
Defenders-D Zagadou, M Hummels, S Bender, L Bender
Midfielders- T Hazard, K Harvetz, L Bailey
Forwards- E Haaland, J Sancho(C), K Volland (VC)
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