Bayer Leverkusen has started the year with a big boost to its hopes of defending the Bundesliga title after beating a depleted Borussia Dortmund 3-2.

Bayer Leverkusen's 3-2 victory at Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga restart on Friday showed the development and discipline of the German champions, coach Xabi Alonso said.

Two goals from Patrik Schick helped Bayer Leverkusen battle past Borussia Dortmund to a 3-2 victory on Friday, claiming a sixth-straight league win. ( More Football News) Dortmund suffered their first home loss of the Bundesliga campaign, while Leverkusen moved within one point of leaders Bayern Munich.

The German Bundesliga returns after the winter break with Borussia Dortmund at home to defending champions Bayer Leverkusen on Friday. Nuri Sahin's men host Xabi Alonso's side at Signal Iduna Park with BVB having won just one of their last five games pre-Christmas.

Patrik Schick strikes twice for victors at Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park as Leverkusen close gap with Bayern Munich - Anadolu Ajansı

The Black and Yellows are sixth in the table with 25 points from 15 games and beat Wolfsburg 3-1 on December 22 in their last game before the break, while Leverkusen are in second place with 32 points and are just four points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

The Bundesliga returns with a bang as two of the division’s top teams go head-to-head. Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen best bets Draw – 5/2 with SBK Over 1.5 goals in first half

Champions Bayer Leverkusen battled past hosts Borussia Dortmund 3-2 with two goals from Patrik Schick on Friday to move within a point of leaders Bayern Munich with a sixth straight league win.

Sky Germany reports that several of Borussia Dortmund’s defenders are injury doubts for their game against Bayer Leverkusen later today. Joining Niklas Süle and Pascal Groß, who is suspended,