Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen remain top of Bundesliga

Dortmund face Hoffenheim in the cup in midweek before hosting rivals Bayern in next Saturday's headline match. Both Dortmund and Bayern remain behind Bayer Leverkusen, who defended top spot for the fourth week in a row with a 2-1 win at home to Freiburg.

Xabi Alonso's side had 80 percent possession in the first half, showing the kind of dominance which has now seen them win eight of their first nine games. Playmaker Florian Wirtz put the hosts in front with a mazy solo run into the box from the wing on 36 minutes.

Wirtz, who has been linked with a move to Bayern in recent weeks, then helped set up Jonas Hofmann for his side's second on the hour mark.

Manuel Gulde grabbed a goal back for Freiburg with a well-timed header at a free-kick, but Leverkusen clung on to stay a point clear of Bayern at the top.