Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund Odds & Prediction – Bundesliga Round 4

• Just one point separates second-placed Leverkusen from fifth-placed Dortmund heading into Saturday’s game
• Both teams have been scoring for fun, with nine goals each from three games
• Read on for betting odds, a full preview and the best bet for this early-season Bundesliga clash

It promises to be an explosive meeting on Saturday between two of the early pace-setters in the German Bundesliga. Bayer Leverkusen is hosting Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena 9:30 am ET, and if there’s one thing that recent meetings between the sides has taught us, it’s that there will be goals – lots of them.

The two sides have combined to find the back of the net no less than 43 times in their last nine games, and given that both of the teams have averaged three goals per game so far this season, that crazy pace of 4.77 goals per game looks set to continue for at least one more contest.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund Odds

Odds as of September 9 at FanDuel

Goals On Demand

As might be expected in a match featuring prolific strikers such as Dortmund’s Erling Haaland and Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick, goals are likely in the offing here. Both have started the new season strongly, with Haaland having scored in each of Dortmund’s games, while Schick followed up his five goals at Euro 2020 with two goals so far in the Bundesliga.

Haaland’s proficiency has been well established by this point, with the Norwegian having netted 43 goals in 46 league appearances, and there are goals to be had in this game. There has been at least one goal scored in each of the last 12 meetings between these two teams, and only one draw.

On top of that, the home side has won each of the past five encounters, which bodes well for Leverkusen.

Leverkusen Missing In Midfield

While new Leverkusen head coach Gerardo Seoane has enjoyed an unbeaten first four games in charge, that run may be tested this Saturday, with midfield pair Charles Aranguiz and Piero Hincapie are both out having played Thursday night for their national teams.

On top of that, Julian Baumgartlinger, Edmond Tapsoba and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are all also out with injuries, but Exequiel Palacios could play.

🎙️ #Seoane: "#Palacios should at least land in Europe tonight. We have to see if he is physically ready to play tomorrow.@PieroHincapie and @CharlesAranguiz played last night. I would find it irresponsible to have them in the line up tomorrow."

🔜 #B04BVB pic.twitter.com/pU01IC0EcP

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) September 10, 2021

As a result, Seoane will be left to shuffle the deck, and likely bringing in Robert Andrich to partner Kerem Demirbay in the middle of the park.

However, Leverkusen can always rely on its solid defensive record so far, with the team conceding just two goals so far, tied for joint second behind Wolfsburg.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund Key Stats

Dortmund’s Defensive Woes

While Dortmund may be one of the most thrillingly offensive teams in the Bundesliga, its defensive liabilities are clear for all to see, and have already become a problem early in this new campaign.

Haaland and Co. may be tied for first in goals scored, but they are among the worst defensive records too, with the six goals conceded through three games tied for sixth-worst in the league. On top of that, the team also conceded another three in the DFB SuperCup loss to Bayern, although it managed to keep a clean sheet in the first round of the Germany Cup.

Borussia Missing Key Players

Part of that problem has been the unavailability of center-back Mats Hummels, who has played just 10 minutes so far as he returns from injury. However, Emre Can, who has been filling in along the backline, is ruled out of this game, along with a handful of other defenders.

➡️ Mats Hummels is expected to train with the team again tomorrow. Thus, he could possibly be fit for Saturday's match against Leverkusen.

(🌖) | 🗞 @RNBVB #BVB pic.twitter.com/tqdWsZtkFg

— BVB Newsblog (@bvbnewsblog) September 6, 2021

Further up the pitch, Giovanni Reyna has a thigh issue and could miss out, along with Thorgan Hazard.

Best bets: Bayer Leverkusen (+200); Over 2.5 (-240)