Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund preview

August 26, 2011
By: Frank Beresford

The two teams were fighting each other for the Bundesliga title last term and that rivalry is set to be revived when Bayer welcome Borussia to their BayArena on Saturday.

Following some impressive performances the team displayed last term and their 2nd-place finish in Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen are again seen as one of the main candidates for the title, even if the squad have undergone serious changes this summer.

Coach Jupp Heynckess and key midfielder Arturo Vidal left, while the club signed several promising youngsters, but bear in mind that you can read more about all squad changes and predictions for new season in our German Bundesliga Season Preview.

Bayer started the new campaign with an away defeat to Mainz, but then recorded back to back victories over Werder and Stutgart, with the players restoring some of the lost confidence.

Die Werkself remain a force to be reckoned with at their BayArena, having won seven of last eight games there and they are now 2.75 (7/4) with Victor Chandler to claim maximum points.

19-year-old Bernd Leno will continue to deputize for injured keeper Rene Adler, while Michael Ballack is set to start on bench.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Leno – Castro, Toprak, Reinartz, Kadlec – Rolfes, Bender – Sam, Augusto, Schurrle – Kiessling.

Borussia started their title defence with an impressive home win over Hamburger, but they could do nothing to avoid defeat to Hoffenheim in the second round.

Jurgen Klopp’s team returned to winning ways with a convincing performance against Nurnberg, but the away game against Bayer will present a real test for BVB.

The Bundesliga champions will have the support of around 7,000 traveling fans in Leverkusen and that could help them beat Bayer at their own ground for the second successive time. Away win pays 2.60 (8/5) with Bet365.

Hotshot Mario Goetze resumed training on Thursday following a groin injury and he is doubtful for the clash in Leverkusen, while Sven Bender and Patrick Owomoyela have also resumed full training. Sebastian Kehl and Lukas Barrios remains sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Weidenfeller – Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer – Gundogan, Bender – Gotze, Kagawa, Grosskreutz – Lewandowski.

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