Niko Kovac intends to finish 2025 on a high with Borussia Dortmund as his team welcome Borussia Monchengladbach to Westfalenstadion on Friday in the Bundesliga. 

Dortmund have the chance to temporarily move up to second in the table with a win, though second-placed RB Leipzig are in action against Bayer Leverkusen 24 hours later.

It's been a sensational year for Kovac since joining BVB in January. After taking over a team who were 11th, he guided them to the Champions League spots in 2024-25. 

Indeed, only Bayern Munich have won more games (22 to 18) and scored more goals (92 to 61) than Dortmund since the Croatian replaced Nuri Sahin 11 months ago. 

And with 29 points after 14 games, Dortmund are enjoying their best Bundesliga season since 2021-22, when they had 30 points at this stage under the guidance of Marco Rose. 

But despite Gladbach finding themselves down in 11th and 13 points adrift of Dortmund, Kovac believes his players are in for a stern test against Eugen Polanski's team. 

"Gladbach has stabilised, they've made good progress. An uncomfortable team that will defend well. Our clear ambition is to win the last game of the year 2025," Kovac said.

Kovac did not, however, understate the huge improvements his team have made over the calendar year, with the hope that momentum can continue into 2026. 

"We as a team have made good progress and are in a better position compared to last year," Kovac added.

"We need the stadium – it has magic and energy. Very often we need a boost from the stands – it helps to decide the games in our favour."

Kovac was also on hand to discuss the competition for places within his squad, most notably in the full-back area between Julian Ryerson and Yan Couto. 

Couto joined Dortmund permanently from Manchester City following a strong start to his loan spell in 2024-25, but has since been unable to tie down a regular starting spot. 

Both players have showcased their quality in the final third, with Ryerson's three assists the most in the Dortmund squad, though Couto is one behind him in the Bundesliga.

"With Couto, you can see how important it is to be physically fit. He has made a great development in terms of fitness," Kovac added.

"He has always had the footballing qualities. Julian Ryerson is also doing well, so tomorrow I'll have the agony of choice again there."

Kovac did, however, confirm that in his defence, he would be without duo Waldemar Anton and Aaron Anselmino, who are struggling with respective injury issues. 

Jobe Bellingham will also be unavailable after his red card against Freiburg last time out, while Ramy Bensebaini is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Borussia Dortmund – Julian Ryerson

Ryerson has been an integral part of Dortmund's success this season, and you expect him to be key for his team if they are to emerge victorious here.

In the Bundesliga in 2025-26, he has registered team-high totals for assists (three) and chances created (16), and with Bellingham absent through suspension, the defender could be Dortmund's chief creator. 

Borussia Monchengladbach – Nico Elvedi

Nico Elvedi is set to make his 300th Bundesliga appearance, which will make him just the fifth non-German player to reach this milestone for a single club in the competition.

He will follow in the footsteps of Dede (Dortmund), Steven Cherundolo (Hannover), Zvonimir Soldo (Stuttgart) and Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim).

The Swiss centre-back has made a league-high 116 clearances in the Bundesliga this season, and will be keen to play another important role for Gladbach here.

MATCH PREDICTION: BORUSSIA DORTMUND WIN

Dortmund have won 21 of their 23 Bundesliga home games against Gladbach this century (D1 L1) – more than against any other opponent in that period – including each of the last 11 in a row. 

But apart from their favourable record in this fixture, BVB have been solid at Westfalenstadion. They have won eight of their last 10 Bundesliga home matches (only Bayern Munich have more since Matchday 27 of last season) and lost none of them (D2).

Dortmund have also conceded just seven home goals in that period – fewer than any other team in the league.

In contrast, Gladbach last collected fewer points after 14 matches of a Bundesliga season in 2010-11 (10) than they have in the current campaign (16).

Polanski's team have, however, recently won three consecutive Bundesliga away games to nil – a fourth successive away clean sheet would equal the club's top-flight record (previously set in 1996 and 1970). Their five away goals conceded in the 2025-26 Bundesliga are the joint-fewest in the league alongside Bayern. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Borussia Dortmund – 60.6%

Draw – 20.3%

Borussia Monchengladbach – 19%