Bundesliga Boost Could Spark Winning Run for These Challengers

Borussia Dortmund vs RB Leipzig

The striking similarities and frustrations felt by Bundesliga sides trying to end the dominance of Bayern Munich has never been more strongly experienced in recent seasons than by these two clubs.

Sure, both Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig have enjoyed Bundesliga 2023 highlights aplenty, but never enough to take the crown away from the Bavarians.

It’s not going to happen this season either, incidentally, although that should not make their clash on Saturday teatime any less enjoyable.

Talking Points

Dortmund managed to do something no one else has this term when they held leaders Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-1 draw on their own turf on Sunday.

The result still leaves them well outside the title race, and I don’t expect them to mount a sustained challenge following last season’s dramatic last day disappointment.

Yet the result – coupled with their early qualification from a Champions League “Group of Death” comprising PSG, Newcastle and AC Milan – showed they remain capable of competing with top sides on a one-off occasion.

Their opponents this weekend are another club which has fared better than most but has also been forced to sell its best players on a regular basis.

This summer’s departures from RB Leipzig included Christopher Nkunku and Josko Gvardiol – losses which, like Dortmund, mean they will struggle to get near Bayern in the race to become Germany’s number one.

In fact, you only need to look at my Bundesliga team of the season from last term to see the extent to which both sides have been weakened.

With one point separating the sides in fourth and fifth place, respectively, the importance of Saturday teatime’s encounter is clear.

They may not be able to halt Bayern’s quest for a 12^th straight title, but they can have a say in the outcome of the outcome of the title race and push for a lucrative top four finish themselves.

In the seven seasons since Leipzig’s promotion in the 2016-17 campaign, the two have regularly wrestled for the runners-up spot, with Dortmund finishing second four times, Leipzig twice, and Schalke once in 2017-18.

When you consider that Leipizg was only founded in 2009, that beggars belief in itself.

There are a number of potential matchwinners, and both can focus fully on the clash with their places in the last 16 of the Champions League already secured.

While Leipzig have the in-form Lois Openda, who again was on target in their 2-1 win over FC Heidenheim last weekend, Dortmund have Niclas Fülkrug who now has four assists and four goals this season – only Julian Brandt has had a direct hand in more Dortmund goals so far (four goals, five assists).

Openda’s was a strike that put the Belgian into double figures for the season, leaving no doubt that the summer signing has settled into life in Leipzig.

Given his brace at Manchester City in the Champions League last week, he is clearly also a forward picking up some formidable form with 10 goals in 13 games domestically.

The Belgium international has raced out of the blocks since his summer arrival from Lens, and even the iconic Gerd Müller only scored one more than that in his first 13 matches in the German top-flight.

Openda also has the division’s top goal-maker, Xavi Simons, behind him, with the Netherlands international – who is also in his maiden Bundesliga campaign – teeing up seven goals for his side already.

Dortmund showed form at Leverkusen and got off to a flyer through Julian Ryerson as Füllkrug held the ball up before teeing his teammate up to dispatch coolly to stun the home fans.

Dortmund’s defence then held firm under late pressure.

To be optimistic for die Schwarzgelben, it should be pointed out that Dortmund have the exact same points total after 13 matches (25) as they had at the same stage last season.

The synergy in this one is evident in other ways too.

Leipzig coach Marco Rose boasts the best win ratio of any Dortmund coach after leading them to a runners-up finish in 2022 – his sole campaign at Signal Iduna Park – while Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer made his name at Leipzig.

That just adds another level of intrigue ahead of a contest both teams will be desperate to win.

History

Since their inaugural clash in 2016, Dortmund have won eight meetings, Leipzig six, and there have been two draws.

Both games went the way of the home sides last season.

Leipzig won 3-0 at home when Willi Orban, Dominik Szoboszlai and Amadou Haidara found the net.

Dortmund exacted some revenge with a 2-1 victory of their own in March when Marco Reus (penalty) and Emre Can were the marksmen before Emil Forsberg pulled one back for Leipzig.

Betting Tip

Home advantage gives Dortmund the edge.

They are on offer to back 1X2 @ 2.26, First Half 1X2 @ 2.67, Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.11, and First Half Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.33.

Leipzig are ever so slightly further out with the SBOTOP Bundesliga 2023 betting odds priced 1X2 @ 2.62, First Half 1X2 @ 2.95, Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.40, and First Half Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.05.

Considering these are two sides who net a fair few, it’s worth considering goal options such as Over 3.50 oals @ 2.14, Total Goal 2-3 @ 2.22, 4-6 @ 2.37, although a very low scoring encounter would earn you a nice earner if you opt for Total Goal 0-1 @ 5.30.

A repeat of Dortmund’s 2-1 home victory from last season is on offer @ 9.20 with Correct Score.

My betting above helps neither side as they look to close the gap on the top two.

 

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