Borussia Dortmund’s 2025-26 Bundesliga season ranks among their best historically, yet their ambitions for major trophies have been hindered by a disappointing record against elite opponents. Sitting second with 61 points after 27 matches, Dortmund trail league leaders Bayern Munich by nine points. Only on four occasions has Dortmund amassed more points at this stage, two of which resulted in league titles.
Despite losing just twice this season—both defeats handed by Bayern Munich—the 2024 Champions League finalists have struggled to secure wins against the Bundesliga’s top-tier teams. Against the top eight clubs, all realistic contenders for European qualification, Dortmund have managed only two victories in nine encounters. These wins came against Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen, the latter of whom eliminated Dortmund from the German Cup shortly after.
In a significant development, Dortmund will look to reverse this trend with a crucial away match against Stuttgart on Saturday. The German Cup holders currently occupy third place, eight points behind Dortmund, and appear poised to secure their second top-four finish in three years. Since Sebastian Hoeness took charge of Stuttgart in April 2023, his side has dominated Dortmund, winning five and drawing two of their seven meetings.
Dortmund’s coach Niko Kovac expressed optimism ahead of the fixture, stating, “I believe we will perform better against Stuttgart than in recent matches. This club has developed remarkably well.” He added, “They are a serious team that has grown together impressively over the past years, which is no accident. We will need to push ourselves to the limit on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich will travel to Freiburg on the same day but may be without Harry Kane, who missed England’s friendly defeat to Japan at Wembley due to an ankle injury described by coach Thomas Tuchel as minor. Given Kane’s history of ankle issues and the upcoming Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid, Bayern appear likely to rest their captain.
One key player to watch in the Dortmund-Stuttgart clash is Stuttgart’s prolific striker Deniz Undav. The forward scored the decisive goal in Germany’s 2-1 victory over Ghana on Monday, maintaining his impressive form. Undav has contributed 23 goals and 13 assists across 38 appearances this season. Hours after being named March’s player of the month, Hoeness highlighted Undav’s vital role in Stuttgart’s ascent, saying, “We’ve progressed in many areas, and with Deniz, we have a player who truly makes a difference. While others contribute, Deniz’s remarkable statistics stand out.”
Additional notable statistics include Bayern Munich’s unbeaten away record this season and Wolfsburg’s unique status as a club never relegated from the Bundesliga since their 1997 promotion, despite currently sitting second-last and five points from safety. Furthermore, none of Undav’s 18 league goals have come from penalties, contrasting with Harry Kane, who has scored 10 of his 31 league goals from the spot.
Upcoming fixtures (all times GMT): Saturday features Freiburg vs. Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim vs. Mainz, Werder Bremen vs. RB Leipzig, Hamburg vs. Augsburg, Borussia Moenchengladbach vs. Heidenheim, Bayer Leverkusen vs. Wolfsburg, and Stuttgart vs. Borussia Dortmund at 1630. On Sunday, Union Berlin face St Pauli, and Eintracht Frankfurt host Cologne at 1530.
