DORTMUND, Germany (Interstat) — Borussia Dortmund hosts Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday in a Bundesliga clash with significant implications for the European qualification race, as the visitors arrive seeking to avenge two heavy defeats from last fall.

The match at Signal Iduna Park kicks off at 3:30 p.m. local time (1330 GMT).

Dortmund (14-6-8) enters with momentum from a 2-0 away win over Stuttgart last Saturday, solidifying its hold on a Champions League spot. However, its form has been inconsistent, highlighted by a shocking 5-1 loss at Augsburg on March 27 sandwiched between dominant cup wins over lower-tier sides.

Leverkusen (12-9-7), sitting just outside the European places, is coming off a spectacular 6-3 victory over Wolfsburg, showcasing a potent attack. Yet its season has been marked by wild fluctuations, including a 4-1 home loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach and a recent 3-3 draw with Heidenheim.

Recent history heavily favors the hosts. Dortmund dismantled Leverkusen 4-0 on the road last Nov. 30, following a 2-1 victory there just a day prior in a previously rescheduled fixture. Leverkusen has not beaten Dortmund in their last five league meetings.

Key players to watch include Dortmund’s attacking midfield duo, who were instrumental in the Stuttgart win, and Leverkusen’s forward line, which ran rampant against Wolfsburg. The battle in midfield will be critical, with both sides capable of explosive offense but vulnerable at the back.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the match is projected to end in a 1-1 draw. Such a result would likely benefit Dortmund more in the table, but Leverkusen’s desperation for points could dictate an open, high-stakes contest.

For Leverkusen, the fixture begins a tough stretch that includes matches against RB Leipzig and Stuttgart. Dortmund faces a comparatively lighter league schedule ahead but must balance it with a concurrent cup run.

Saturday’s encounter promises a contrast in narratives: Dortmund’s quest for consistency and Leverkusen’s fight for redemption and points. With both teams demonstrating they can score — and concede — in bunches, a tense, high-scoring affair is anticipated.