Borussia Dortmund vs RB Leipzig
Borussia Dortmund are back in the Bundesliga title race. The BVB have been perfect to start 2023, which has seen them draw level with champions Bayern Munich at the top of the table.
But they will face by far their toughest test of the new year this weekend as they take on fourth-placed RB Leipzig.
Marco Rose’s side have also been in fine form in 2023, and the former Dortmund boss will be keen to keep that good run going at the expense of his old club.
Talking Points
Dortmund still perfect in 2023
Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga 2023 results have been picture-perfect. They have won each of their first seven league games of the new year as they’ve risen to second in the Bundesliga standings, tied on points with champions Bayern Munich.
Dortmund dominated struggling Hoffenheim in their last outing as they finished with a 25-13 shot advantage. However, they could only score one goal, the first time they’ve done so in eight league games.
Dortmund were without injured forwards Karim Adeyemi and Youssoufa Moukoko, but despite those absentees, they are still loaded with attacking options. Julian Brandt, who scored the winning goal against Hoffenheim, is in fantastic form at the moment, with 5 goals and 2 assists in his last 8 Bundesliga games. Similarly, captain Marco Reus has been stellar, with 2 goals and 2 assists in his last 4 games.
Even English teenager Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has been a steady contributor, with a goal and an assist in his last three appearances. The 18-year-old is likely to keep his place on the left wing in Adeyemi’s absence.
Meanwhile, Dortmund’s defence has also improved significantly. They’ve conceded just six goals in their last seven games.
Signal Iduna Park has once again been a fortress for Dortmund this season. They have won eight of their 10 home games (one draw, one loss), including each of their last five, where they have scored an impressive 21 goals.
Rose’s Red Bulls back on track
After back-to-back setbacks – a goalless draw away to Koln and a 2-1 defeat at home to Union Berlin – RB Leipzig are back on track. They’ve won back-to-back Bundesliga matches – a 3-0 win at Wolfsburg and a 2-1 home win at home against Eintracht Frankfurt – and also held mighty Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in the Champions League.
Leipzig coach Marco Rose, who had a disappointing season at Dortmund last season, has led a strong revival at Leipzig after taking over for Domenico Tedesco. He has won 17 of his 25 games in charge, with five draws and just three defeats.
Rose has achieved that success despite missing star striker Christopher Nkunku for a good part of the season due to injury. Nkunku is finally back, and after coming on as a substitute in each of the last three games, he might finally be ready to start in this big match against BVB. Nkunku had been having another strong season prior to his injury, scoring 12 goals in his first 14 games.
Nkunku could come in to partner Timo Werner, who had a goal and an assist in their 2-1 win over Frankfurt. Attacking midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has been in decent form, as has Emil Forsberg, who has two goals and an assist in his last two league games.
Dani Olmo, who has been out for the last month with a thigh injury, has returned to training this week but is unlikely to be ready just yet.
History
Encounters between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig over the last few years have been quite competitive. Dortmund hold a slight 6-5 edge in terms of wins, with two draws.
After a long run of Dortmund dominance – they went on a run of seven games unbeaten against Leipzig, with five wins – Leipzig have turned the tables on BVB. The Red Bulls have won three straight games against Dortmund, including a 3-0 victory at Red Bull Arena in their first meeting this season. Szoboszlai starred in that match as he had a goal and an assist.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP Bundesliga 2023 betting odds for this match are tight. Despite being in fine form and at home, Dortmund are only slight 2.29 favourites to beat Leipzig, who are priced at 2.65. A draw is 3.50.
The odds reflect how tough a match this is to call. Even though Dortmund have made massive improvements in recent months, the Red Bulls are quite a dangerous foe that has had much success against them of late.
Of course, Marco Rose knows the side well and will be eager to clinch the double over his old club. But he may just have to settle for a draw in what I foresee to be a closely contested battle on his return to Dortmund.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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