Preview: Borussia Dortmund face first real test in the league against Leipzig

This Saturday football will return to Dortmund, Der BVB will face an inspired RB Leipzig in what will be considered as the game of the match-week.

It will be interesting to see what coach Bosz decides to do after this international break. His intense pressing tactics have been pretty successful in the Bundesliga so far this season. On the other hand, Leipzig have had a mixed start, and lie 6 points behind their rivals.

Match Information

Date: October 14th

Time: 4:30 p.m. CET (local time)/11:30 a.m. EST

Venue: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund

Form Guide

Borussia Dortmund:

Last 5 matches: WWWLW

Last match: Dortmund 2-1 Augsburg

Analysis: Borussia Dortmund’s new signing Andriy Yarmolenko completely stole the show at Augsburg last 2 weeks ago scoring his first league goal of the season. The Ukranian scored with a backheel after a solid pass from Pulisic. A few minutes later Augsburg scored with a decent header by Caiuby. Japanese midfielder quickly turned the tables around in Dortmund’s favor with a solid first-time chip over the head of Augsburg’s goalkeeper. At the end of the day, Dortmund’s attack was extremely solid but their defense was pretty sloppy.

RB Leipzig:

Last 4 matches: DLWLW

Last Match: RB Leipzig 2-1 Koln

Analysis: Two weeks ago we saw a very determined RB Leipzig side against Koln. Leipzig played a very offensive game scoring twice in a game that should have definitely be won by more goals. Goals from Paulson and Sabitzer pushed Leipzig ahead of Koln and led them to a solid victory.

Opposition star man

The German striker Timo Werner is RB Leipzig’s star man. In a team that has risen above the divisions lightning fast in the past couple seasons, Timo Werner played a pivotal role for RB Leipzig in their first season in Germany’s top tier of football. Combining speed and versatility, Werner is a pretty lethal striker. His pace and finishing will make him Leipzig’s biggest threat.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 23: Timo Werner of Leipzig celebrates with his teams supporters after the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt at Red Bull Arena on September 23, 2017 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

Matchup History

Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig played for the first time last season. After 2 matches both Leipzig and Dortmund have won once by a score of 1-0. Whoever wins this Saturday will lead the series in wins.

Possible lineups

Dortmund 4-3-3

Bürki –Toljan, Sokratis (c), Bartra, Zagadou – Weigl, Castro, Götze – Pulisic, Aubameyang, Yarmolenko

Dortmund were hit by injuries during this international break. Starting with defender Lukasz Piszczek who picked up an injury while playing for Poland. The young Jeremy Toljan will be needed to fill the veterans void. Also with Marcel Schmelzer out, the young French defender Zagadou will once again play out of position. In the midfield, Weigl will start once again being paired up with Gonzalo Castro and Mario Götze. Up front, Pulisic will return from a very difficult international break and will play alongside red-hot Andriy Yarmolenko and our big man Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.

More from BVB Buzz

Leipzig 4-4-2

Gulacsi – Halstenberg, Orban (c), Upamecano, Klosterman – Forsberg, Keita, Kampl, Bruma – Werner, Poulsen

RB Leipzig will have some minor changes to the last lineup they used. In the back, captain Willi Orban will return from an injury and will be paired up with 18-year-old youngster Dayot Upamecano. In the midfield, Naby Keita will return from a suspension and will be paired up with Slovenian midfielder Kevin Kampl who will replace the injured Ilsanker. Forsberg, the assists machine will play on the wing with fellow Portuguese winger Bruma. Up front, Werner will return from an injury and will play with the versatile Yussuf Poulsen.

Final Prediction

Borussia Dortmund 2-1 RB Leipzig

Leipzig are Dortmund’s biggest test in the league so far this season, at least on paper. Dortmund’s playing style will give Leipzig plenty of chances on the counter attack. But Der BVB’s quality and strength in depth will help them come out victorious in the end.

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