Borussia Dortmund host RB Leipzig at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday afternoon (14:30 BST) in an intriguing Bundesliga clash. It’s second vs third in the table, with both sides on strong runs of form and aiming to keep the pressure on defending champions Bayern Munich at the summit. 

Team form 

Dortmund have had a rock-solid start to the season. After a thrilling 3-3 draw with St. Pauli on the opening weekend, Niko Kovac’s side have gone on to win four straight matches against Union Berlin, Heidenheim, Wolfsburg and Mainz. Remarkably, they haven’t conceded a single goal across that run, while scoring eight at the other end. 

They’ll fancy their chances of extending the streak against one of their biggest rivals with the Yellow Wall behind them.

Leipzig underwent a summer of upheaval, with Ole Werner coming in as the club’s new manager and key players Benjamin Sesko and Xavi Simons departing for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, respectively. 

A humbling 6-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on the opening weekend raised doubts, but Die Roten Bullen have since recovered in style. Wins over Heidenheim, Mainz, Köln and Wolfsburg have steadied the ship, with Werner’s side conceding just once across those four games while finding the net seven times. This trip, however, represents their sternest test since the Bayern drubbing.

Head-to-head

Recent history slightly favours Leipzig. They have won three of the last five Bundesliga meetings, while Dortmund claimed the other two. Over their entire head-to-head history, the record is perfectly balanced, with nine wins apiece and two draws in their 20 encounters. 

These games are rarely cagey, either. Both sides have scored in eight of the last 10 league meetings, with nine producing over 2.5 goals. The stage is set for another lively, end-to-end contest at Signal Iduna Park. 

Team news

Dortmund’s defensive injury issues are beginning to ease. Niklas Sule made the bench last week against Mainz, while Chelsea loanee Aaron Anselmino could return to the matchday squad for the first time since gameweek two after sustaining a muscle problem. In attack, new €22m signing Fabio Silva made his debut with a late cameo against Mainz and could feature more prominently here.

Leipzig remain light at right-back. Benjamin Henrichs has been sidelined since December, while Kosta Nedeljkovic has joined him in the treatment room with a knee injury. Amadou Haidara and Xaver Schlager are edging closer to returns but may not be risked from the start in such a high-intensity fixture.

Key stats

• Serhou Guirassy has scored 4 goals in four Bundesliga games for Dortmund.

• Dortmund have averaged 2.2 goals per game in their five league outings.

• Kovac’s men have led at half-time in each of their last 10 Bundesliga matches.

• Rômulo has contributed 2 goals and 1 assist in five league games for Leipzig.

Prediction

Both sides are in excellent form, but Leipzig’s early-season thrashing at the hands of Bayern casts some doubt over their ability to handle Germany’s elite. Dortmund’s defence looks watertight, and their attack has been winning them games, while Signal Iduna Park remains one of Europe’s toughest venues to visit. Their head-to-head record suggests Leipzig should get on the scoresheet, but Dortmund’s balance and momentum give them the edge.