As the Bundesliga season enters its final stretch, a fascinating clash of form awaits at Signal Iduna Park. Second-placed Borussia Dortmund, the league's best team in the Rückrunde, host a Bayer Leverkusen side sitting sixth but riding their own wave of momentum. With Dortmund nine points off the top and firmly in a Champions League spot, this match is a crucial test of their title-chasing credentials against a dangerous opponent.
The home fortress of Dortmund presents a formidable challenge for any visitor. BVB have been nearly flawless at home this season, securing 11 wins from 14 matches with just a single loss. Leverkusen, however, travel with confidence, boasting a solid away record of six wins from their 14 trips. This sets the stage for a classic battle of home strength versus road resilience.
Recent history between these two adds another layer of intrigue. While Dortmund have lost just one of the last seven Bundesliga meetings, Leverkusen famously knocked them out of the DFB-Pokal this season with a 1-0 win in Dortmund. Interestingly, the home team has not won any of the last seven encounters across all competitions, a streak Dortmund will be desperate to end in front of their famous Yellow Wall.
The statistics heavily favor Dortmund's current form. Edin Terzić's side are on a four-game winning streak and have collected a league-best 28 points from a possible 33 since the winter break. Their attack has been relentless, scoring at least two goals in 14 consecutive matches, while goalkeeper Gregor Kobel leads the Bundesliga with 13 clean sheets. Leverkusen are no slouches, though, unbeaten in six and coming off a thrilling 6-3 victory over Wolfsburg.
Looking back to the reverse fixture provides a blueprint for a tight contest. Dortmund emerged 2-1 winners in a match defined by key moments: a headed goal from a set-piece and a clinical finish from Karim Adeyemi, who will be looking to replicate that impact. Expect another tense, tactical battle where capitalizing on chances will be the difference between securing vital points or dropping them.