Dortmund and Bayern face tough tests to Leverkusen and RB Leipzig

(Football news) Dortmund will look to maintain their 100% win record in the league this year as they face in-form Bayer Leverkusen. Dortmund can go 11 points clear between themselves and Leverkusen in third place, while also maintaining pressure on leaders Bayern Munich. Leverkusen can reduce the gap to BVB above them to five points while also guaranteeing their buffer to the melee of teams lurking below them in the race for a top-four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification. Only Robert Lewandowski (23) has more goals this season than Patrik Schick (18) and Haaland (16), it will be an interesting watch as both the strikers will go head to head in what is a very important match for both the teams. Leverkusen have bought in Iranian international Sardar Azmoun from Zenit to bolster their front line.

Marco Reus has scored more times against Werder Bremen and Mainz (14) than against Leverkusen (11), and he has scored six in his last six games against Bayer. Dortmund have picked up 27 of a possible 30 points at home this season as they have been really dominating at home. On the other hand Leverkusen have scored 49 goals after 20 games which is a new club record.

Bayern take on RB Leipzig as both teams have different agendas this season, The hosts will be hoping to extend their advantage at the top of the table, whilst the visitors will be looking to continue the fine form achieved under their new boss prior to the international break. A 4-0 hammering at FC Koln saw Julian Nagelsmann's side regain their six-point advantage at the top of the table, and a 4-1 thrashing at Hertha Berlin before the international break meant that they head into this weekend with their six-point lead still intact. Although they do face one of their tougher tests of this season in the form of Leipzig. Nagelsmann has overseen his side fall to two shock defeats at home already this season, and hopes that he wins against his former employers with the plan to replicate their success at the Red Bull Arena back in September. Nagelsmann will be hoping his side continues the rich vein of form and maintain their six point lead

Bayern will be without Leon Goretzka as Eric Choupo-Moting and Bouna Sarr remain at the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon and Senegal respectively, along with that Alphonso Davies remains unavailable for the foreseeable future due to his heart problems. For Leipzig, Tyler Adams and Marcel Halstenberg are expected to be ruled out as Amadou Haidara is available once more following his participation at AFCON with Mali.

Also read: Manchester United to face Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the FA Cup

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