If anyone can challenge Bayern this season, it is Borussia Dortmund. Croatian coach Niko Kovac has stabilised Borussia, who are the only team in the Bundesliga to have won all four of their opening matches. If they want to finish this weekend at the top of the table, they must beat Werder Bremen tonight in the opening match of the Bundesliga’s fifth round. There is little spectacle at Signal Iduna Park, and Kovac’s team have not scored as many goals this season as they did in previous campaigns. Their defence, however, has been rock-solid, conceding just twice.##TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pt" dir="ltr">⚠️ URGENTE! Borussia Dortmund e Niko Kovač chegaram a um acordo verbal para a renovação contratual! O treinador croata de 54 anos deve assinar um novo vínculo válido até 2029. 🗞️ @berger_pj https://t.co/a9N5mGz87E</p>— Bundesliga Insider (@BundesInsider) <a href="https://x.com/BundesInsider/status/2108358079825744097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>##Dortmund are delighted with Kovac’s work, and it is only a matter of time before the club extends its cooperation with the former Croatia manager. His contract expires at the end of this season, making him free to choose his next destination.“We have enormous respect for Niko Kovac. It is only a matter of time, that much is clear. Since not all of us were here during the international break, there are still a few discussions to be held, so the situation remains open for now,” Borussia CEO Carsten Cramer announced.##LINKED_NEWS_68924##Kovac replaced Nuri Şahin in February 2025, when the Millionaires were struggling in mid-table. He revived the Black and Yellows and led them to the Champions League. The Croatian has earned more points in his first 50 matches than any other coach in the history of the North Rhine-Westphalia club. He has collected 107 points, winning 33 matches and breaking the previous record held by Thomas Tuchel, who had two fewer points. For comparison, Germany’s current manager, Jurgen Klopp, earned just 86 points in his first 50 matches in charge of the former European champions. The team from Bremen have made a solid start, collecting seven points, and should not have to worry about relegation. A mid-table finish is a realistic target for Werder. The forwards will be in the spotlight tonight, with Serhou Guirassy leading the line for the hosts and Niclas Fullkrug, a former Millionaires striker, facing his old club for the first time since leaving two years ago.##TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Borussia Dortmund have sent initial signals to Waldemar Anton’s camp that they intend to extend his current contract, which runs until 2028. 🗞️ @berger_pj #BVB</p>— BVB Newsblog (@bvbnewsblog) <a href="https://x.com/bvbnewsblog/status/2108233329438769313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>##Guirassy has been shining again this season, forming an effective partnership up front with Portuguese forward Silva. The former Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers player praised his teammate. The Guinea international has scored twice and provided two assists this season. He has created as many as seven big chances for his teammates and has also recorded the most shots for Dortmund, with 13, at the start of the Bundesliga campaign. He has scored an impressive 64 goals in 102 appearances for the Black and Yellows. Dortmund are on a run of six consecutive wins at their home ground — four in the Bundesliga and one each in the German Cup and Champions League — and the Millionaires have kept clean sheets in their last two matches.##TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Flávio Gonçalves is attracting interest from three German giants. Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are monitoring the #Sporting winger, who could see his release clause rise to €100m. [via @abolapt] https://t.co/RkGyVZSDvT</p>— TalkingSporting (@TalkingSporting) <a href="https://x.com/TalkingSporting/status/2108273229844386044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>##Germany international centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck has recovered from injury and is expected to return to the back line. Silva and Nwaneri are set to join Guirassy in attack. Can and Greek midfielder Konstantelias remain sidelined, with the latter facing at least another six months out after suffering a knee ligament injury. Young Greek defender Kostas Karetsas is also struggling with fitness and is expected to start on the bench. Last season, the Black and Yellows won both encounters against the team from the country’s north-west, claiming a 3–0 victory at their Westfalenstadion home and a 2–0 win in Bremen. Serhou Guirassy found the net in both matches.BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 5Friday21.30: (1.35) Dortmund (5.50) Werder (7.50)Saturday16.30: (11.0) Augsburg (7.75) Bayern (1.20)16.30: (1.45) Hoffenheim (5.00) Hamburger (6.75)16.30: (3.05) Mainz (3.60) Leverkusen (2.25)16.30: (4.70) Paderborn (4.50) Stuttgart (1.65)16.30: (2.35) Union Berlin (3.50) Elversberg (2.90)19.30: (1.60) RB Leipzig (4.30) Eintr.Frankfurt (5.20)Sunday16.30: (2.10) Koln (3.60) M' gladbach (3.35)18.30: (1.70) Freiburg (3.70) Schalke (5.10)***odds are subject to change***##SOFASCORE_<iframe id="sofa-standings-embed-42-97464" src="https://widgets.sofascore.com/embed/tournament/42/season/97464/standings?widgetTitle=Bundesliga&showCompetitionLogo=true&widgetTheme=light" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="width:100%!important; height:1043px!important;max-width:768px!important;"></iframe><div style="font-size:12px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;text-align:left"> Standings provided by <a target="_blank" href="https://sofascore.com/">Sofascore</a> </div>##