Match Preview: Peter Bosz returns to Dortmund in crucial game for BVB

Its almost game day again for BVB, this time we are up against former manager Peter Bosz and Bayer Leverkusen. Leverkusen currently are in 5th place with 35 points in the Bundesliga. Our Hinrunde fixture in September was a victory for Dortmund 4-2. Marco Reus and Łukasz Piszczek are definitely ruled out for the game with Marius Wolf, Thomas Delaney and Manuel Akanji all ruled as questionable.

For Dortmund’s lineup, we will have to make due with the injuries yet again. Our back line will probably include Weigl paired with either Zagadou or Diallo. Last week to my surprise Diallo played fullback while Zagadou played center back. It was against the worst team in the league however, so I don’t really have a takeaway positive takeaway for the clean sheet. In the midfield, no rest for Witsel as he should be paired with Dahoud. With Delaney out Dahoud needs to step up and not make errant passes vs this Leverkusen side. On the wings whatever combination of JBL,Raphael and Sancho works. I won’t say Sancho should be a lock to start with his run of bad form, but he is still the best player of those three. Hopefully Gotze and Paco play as the 9 and 10. Phillip shouldn't play in a game against Leverkusen when he has been so invisible against worse teams. However, it’s not like Paco or Mario have looked much better in our slump.

Leverkusen have won their past 4 league games. They are on a tear right now in the league going up against a Dortmund team that is slumping hard. Excpet to see Johnathan Tah and former BVB man Sven Bender in the back for Leverkusen. Both have played much better under Bosz and will be tough opponent to get past. Fullback Mitchell Weiser has probably had the biggest improvement under Bosz. He was great in their win vs Bayern and has been a linchpin to Bayer’s success all month. I’d expect him to be put on whichever wing Sancho is on if he plays. Bayer’s midfield has been a force this month. Karim Bellarabi may be out, but Leverkusen still have many more threats. Kai Havertz, Leon Bailey, Julian Brandt and Kevin Vollland are all top Bundesliga level players. Not many other teams in the league have Leverkusen’s firepower the way they are playing under Bosz.

What do you think Dortmunds best lineup is for this game?