The DFB-Pokal Round of 16 brings an immediate rematch between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen, just three days after their Bundesliga encounter. This time, the stage is set at Signal Iduna Park, where the home side will look to capitalize on their recent 2-1 league victory over the same opponent. The match kicks off on Tuesday, December 2, at 21:00, and promises to be another high-intensity clash between two of Germany’s most attack-minded teams. Historically, these sides have produced thrilling encounters, and with both in strong form, fans can expect another open contest filled with goals and drama.

Borussia Dortmund’s Recent Form and Key Stats

Borussia Dortmund enter this DFB-Pokal tie in solid form, having lost only once in their last five matches across all competitions. Their recent 2-1 win over Leverkusen in the Bundesliga was a statement performance, following a convincing 4-0 triumph against Villarreal in the Champions League. Under Niko Kovac, the team has shown resilience and attacking flair, averaging 2.2 goals scored and 1.8 conceded over their last five outings. In the domestic cup, Dortmund’s journey has not been without tension: they edged past Rot-Weiß Essen 1-0 in the first round and needed penalties to overcome Eintracht Frankfurt in the second. Both goals in those matches came after halftime, highlighting their ability to grow into games.

At home, the Black and Yellows have been particularly strong, remaining unbeaten at halftime in their last 14 home fixtures and winning the first half in 12 of those. Their attacking consistency is remarkable — they have scored in each of their last 23 matches in all competitions. Karim Adeyemi has been a standout performer, finding the net in both the recent league win over Leverkusen and the Champions League clash with Villarreal. With Maximilian Beier sidelined due to a muscle issue, Adeyemi’s partnership with Serhou Guirassy will be crucial. Young defender Aaron Anselmino also impressed by scoring in the previous meeting between these sides, adding another dimension to Dortmund’s offensive threat.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Recent Form and Key Stats

Bayer Leverkusen arrive in Dortmund after a rare setback. Their 1-2 home defeat to the same opponent ended a strong run of six wins in seven Bundesliga matches. Despite that loss, Kasper Hjulmand’s men remain one of the most consistent teams in Germany this season, averaging 2.6 goals scored and only 0.6 conceded across their last five games. In the DFB-Pokal, Leverkusen’s campaign has been eventful: a comfortable 4-0 win over Großaspach was followed by a dramatic 4-2 extra-time victory against Paderborn, where their attacking quality eventually prevailed. However, defensive lapses have been evident — they have yet to keep a clean sheet away from home in either the league or the cup.

Injuries could again test Leverkusen’s depth. Lucas Vazquez, Equi Fernandez, Alex Tape, and Arthur are all nursing knocks, forcing Hjulmand to rely on his in-form forwards. New signing Christian Kofane has quickly made an impact, scoring against Dortmund in the league and contributing alongside Patrik Schick and Alejandro Grimaldo in the cup. The attacking trio has been central to Leverkusen’s success, with Grimaldo’s creativity and Schick’s finishing providing constant danger. Leverkusen’s recent record in the DFB-Pokal is mixed — semi-finalists in consecutive seasons before a surprise exit to Bielefeld in 2025 — but their attacking firepower ensures they remain a threat in any knockout tie.

Dortmund vs Leverkusen Prediction and Tactical Overview

This second meeting in just a few days is expected to be another fast-paced and open affair. Both teams favor attacking football, and their recent head-to-head history supports the likelihood of goals. Dortmund have won two of the last five encounters, losing only once, and have averaged two goals per game in that span. Leverkusen, meanwhile, have scored in 23 of their last 24 matches, while Dortmund have found the net in 23 consecutive outings — a clear sign that both sides rarely fail to score. The combination of Adeyemi’s pace, Guirassy’s strength, and Leverkusen’s dynamic front line suggests that defenses will be under pressure throughout the match.

While Dortmund will look to exploit their home advantage and maintain their strong cup record at Signal Iduna Park, Leverkusen’s attacking depth ensures they can never be counted out. The tactical battle between Kovac’s structured pressing and Hjulmand’s fluid offensive transitions could define the outcome. Given the attacking form of both teams and their recent high-scoring encounters, another goal-filled contest seems likely. The fans can expect an entertaining night of football where momentum could swing rapidly from one end to the other.

Dortmund vs Leverkusen prediction by BetMines:
The most likely outcome is Over 2.5 goals with a 64% probability.