Dortmund face daunting Leipzig showdown as Niko Kovac confirms Nico Schlotterbeck sidelined

Dortmund sit six points behind leaders FC Bayern Munich and cannot afford a slip with Der Klassiker looming next weekend. Head coach Niko Kovac has guided his side to six straight league wins and a 15-match unbeaten run in all competitions - the longest active streak in the division.

Yet history offers a warning. Dortmund have lost their last five away matches in Leipzig in all competitions, including three league defeats. Two 2-0 losses either side of a heavy 4-1 defeat in April 2024 underline how difficult this fixture has been. Overall, BVB have lost seven of their last ten meetings with Leipzig.

Leipzig, however, are not in dominant form. Under Ole Werner, they have won only three of their last nine Bundesliga matches and currently sit fifth, having played a game more than Bayer Leverkusen.

Much of Dortmund's recent momentum has come from Serhou Guirassy. The 29-year-old striker has scored in each of the club's last four competitive matches, netting six goals in that spell. He has 11 league goals and 16 in all competitions this season, rediscovering the sharpness that made him such a key figure earlier in the campaign.

Leipzig will counter with teenage forward Yoane Diamonde, who has enjoyed a breakout season. The 19-year-old has scored eight Bundesliga goals - the joint-highest in the squad alongside Christoph Baumgartner - and added four assists.

Kovac must cope without Nico Schlotterbeck, who misses out with muscular problems. The defender was absent in midweek and will not be risked.

"Schlotti was on the pitch today. He feels good - it's certainly a bit of a precaution," Kovac said. "We don't want to take too high a risk, because coming in too early could mean a longer recovery later. So patience is required."

The Dortmund coach added: "He does want to play, but we have to be sensible. That's why he will miss the Leipzig game. We'll see regarding the games against Atalanta and Bayern."

Emre Can, Niklas Sule and Filippo Mane also remain sidelined.

For Dortmund, form and belief are strong. But in Leipzig, they face a ground that has repeatedly tested their title credentials. 

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