The Bundesliga returns with a bang as two of the division’s top teams go head-to-head.
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen best bets
- Draw – 5/2 with SBK
- Over 1.5 goals in first half – 5/4 with CopyBet
- Florian Wirtz to score any time – 12/5 with Betfred
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen odds
Find the latest match odds for Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen predictions
Both Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen were pretty pleased with how they ended 2024.
After a shaky start to the season under novice manager Nuri Sahin, Dortmund signed off for the winter break on the back of a five-game unbeaten streak.
That sequence concluded with their first away win of the campaign, as BVB beat Wolfsburg on their own patch 3-1.
They also drew 1-1 with Bayern Munich during that time, with Dortmund now just two points and two places outside the top four.
As for Leverkusen, they won each of their last five Bundesliga contests before the division broke off for its customary pause over the festive period.
Xabi Alonso’s side scored five goals in two of those matches as they put Heidenheim and Freiburg to the sword.
And with Bayern Munich enduring a stuttering end to the calendar year, Leverkusen are back within four points of the league leaders. For a while it looked like Bayern would run away with the title, but it is fair to say we now have a race on our hands over in Germany.
Having said that, it is hard to see anyone other than Leverkusen challenging Bayern. Eintracht Frankfurt have done brilliantly to sit third at the start of 2025, but they do not have the quality to compete for the championship.
RB Leipzig and Dortmund are too flawed to challenge right at the top of the division. They are nine and 11 points adrift of Bayern respectively as the midway point of the campaign approaches. The champion, you feel, will be one of Bayern or Leverkusen.
Vincent Kompany’s charges were unable to emerge victorious at Signal Iduna Park, so Leverkusen will be looking to go one better under the floodlights on Friday.
Dortmund will draw confidence from their formidable home record, which has seen them collect a league-high 20 points from a possible 24 on their own patch.
Only Bayern and Hoffenheim have avoided defeat at the home of the Yellow-Blacks, with no domestic visitor having emerged triumphant at the famous stadium since April 2024.
Dortmund are a match for anyone in Europe when they play in front of their own supporters, but Leverkusen were the Bundesliga’s form team before the winter break. What gives?
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen betting tips
Borussia Dortmund host Bayer Leverkusen in what promises to be an entertaining encounter on Friday.
Draw
Barcelona did run out 3-2 winners at Signal Iduna Park in the Champions League last month, so Borussia Dortmund are not unbeatable on their own patch.
Bayer Leverkusen will not find it easy to pick up all three points, though. Leverkusen are a stronger side than Dortmund overall, but that is counterbalanced by the home advantage BVB will enjoy.
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Both sets of players should be relatively fresh after the winter break. Bundesliga clubs have, for the most part, been building up their match sharpness by playing friendlies over the last 10 days or so.
Dortmund were harder to beat towards the end of 2024 and that will stand them in good stead against Leverkusen.
Ultimately, we do not see either side being able to do enough to win. Dortmund and Leverkusen may have to each accept a share of the spoils.
Over 1.5 goals in first half
Both of these teams know where the goal is, at least when the conditions are right.
Borussia Dortmund are prolific at Signal Iduna Park, where they have scored 20 times so far – the joint-second highest tally for home goals in the Bundesliga.
Bayer Leverkusen are productive wherever they play. Only Bayern Munich can better their overall return of 37 goals.
Unusually, Leverkusen score most of their goals in the second half of matches, while Dortmund’s overall record is better before the interval than after it.
This one could get off to a flyer.
Tip over 1.5 goals in the first half at 5/4 with CopyBet
Florian Wirtz to score any time
Ever since Alonso arrived at Bayer Leverkusen, the collective has been more important than any individual.
Having said that, there is no doubt that Leverkusen would be an inferior side without Florian Wirtz in their attack.
The Germany international is so often the man who makes the difference in the final third, whether that is by making the net bulge or setting up a team-mate to score.
Wirtz was on fire prior to the winter break, scoring in three consecutive games as Leverkusen rose up to second in the standings.
Borussia Dortmund will find it difficult to keep the attacking midfielder quiet on Friday night as the Bundesliga season resumes.
Back Florian Wirtz to score any time at 12/5 with Betfred
How to watch Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen
- Location: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany.
- Date and time: Friday 10th January, 7.30pm.
- How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
- Premier League winner predictions
- Premier League top scorer odds
- Premier League relegation odds
- Champions League winner odds
- Championship promotion odds
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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