Leipzig-Borussia Dortmund is a match valid for the 31st day of the Bundesliga and is played on Saturday at 3:30 pm: live TV, probable formations, predictions.
In the Bundesliga, the title was already awarded two weeks ago: triumphing, after 11 years of Bayern Munich’s dominance, was the indomitable Bayer Leverkusen, which had never before this year managed to become German champion. Still open, in addition to the race for salvation, remains the race for fourth place, for now confined to only two teams-Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund.
In fact, the chances of both qualifying for the next Champions League at the end of the season are high. The Bundesliga, in fact, is second in the Uefa ranking and should it remain in this position even at the end of the season just like our Serie A will send five teams and not the canonical four to play the cup with big ears. But this will be possible to determine only after the finals of the European cups, since there are still three clubs in contention (Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League). In this round, however, the spotlight can only be all on the direct clash at the Red Bull Arena, in which the hosts Leipzig will at least try to keep the gap from Dortmund, which slipped to -2 after being caught up in the last minute of recovery by a seemingly aimless Leverkusen last week (1-1).
Dortmund “distracted” by PSG?
Marko Rose’s men, on the other hand, are traveling fast: since being eliminated from the Champions League and being able to focus exclusively on the league, they have had five wins and one draw.
Borussia, on the other hand, confirmed for the umpteenth time that they are more comfortable away than at home: in front of their fans, victory has been missing since March; on the road, by contrast, Edin Terzic’s yellow-and-whites have been undefeated for 10 matches. In Leipzig Hummels and his teammates could be “distracted” by the upcoming semi-final first leg with PSG in the Champions League, and the coach will certainly dose the minute-lag of many players. Wolf and Ozcan are expected to start from 1′, while Adeyemi returns from disqualification. He will be able to field the best possible lineup instead Rose, who will rely on the quality of his jewels Xavi Simons, Sesko and Openda, already with a combined 40 goals (plus several assists).
The prediction
Leipzig has won five of its last six official clashes with Borussia Dortmund and once again has all the cards to snatch at least a positive result. Terzic’s team is strong on the road but the upcoming semifinal with PSG will be no small distraction. Expect at least three goals overall, a constant in recent league precedents.
The likely lineups for Leipzig-Borussia Dortmund
LIPSIA (4-4-2): Gulácsi; Henrichs, Orbán, Lukeba, Raum; Dani Olmo, Haidara, Schlager, Xavi Simons; Openda, Šeško.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Wolf, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Sabitzer, Özcan; Sancho, Brandt, Adeyemi; Füllkrug.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
