Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich face off in what promises to be a pulsating encounter on Saturday.
Bayern Munich are unsurprisingly at the top of the table, although they are separated from RB Leipzig only through goal difference, with both teams on 24 points.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are unbeaten in the league this season, and have already scored 24 goals in 10 games, while conceding only 3.
Borussia Dortmund on the other hand, have only won 1 game in their last 5, having drawn 3 and lost 1.
Dortmund sit at 5th position in the table, having scored one more goal than Bayern Munich – 25 – but having already conceded 12 goals in just 10 games.
Both teams will be looking for a win – Dortmund hoping to climb the table and Bayern looking to stay on top – but the pressure is clearly on Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Team News and Tactics
Borussia Dortmund
The key miss for Dortmund on Saturday will be Marco Reus, with Dortmund confirming that they were unwilling to risk the player given his long absence. Many thought the winger would return for the clash, with Reus even saying he was “fired up” for the match just yesterday, but Dortmund today confirmed that the player would not feature.
Thomas Tuchel has no other real injuries to contend with.
He will be hoping that start striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has 11 goals in 9 games in the league this season, will continue his blistering form against Munich, and Dortmund will no doubt look to utilise his lightning pace on the counter.
Ousmane Dembele impressed during Dortmund’s last league game against Hamburger SV, scoring after coming on as a substitute, so Thomas Tuchel may look to utilise the forward in a similar fashion tomorrow night.
Probable Line-Up (3-4-2-1): Burki, Ginter, Papastathopoulos, Bartra, Piszczek, Rode, Castro, Guerreiro, Mor, Pulisic, Aubameyang
Bayern Munich
Bayern will be without winger Arjen Robben and midfielder Javier Martinez, and Douglas Costa is also a slight doubt for the game.
However, Robert Lewandowski has been in fine form with 7 goals in 10 appearances in the league, and Bayern will be banking on him to continue that form.
Munich have also been a solid defensive unit this season, and will look to put Dortmund under pressure from the get-go.
Probable Line-Up (4-3-3): Neuer, Rafinha, Boateng, Hummels, Alaba, Thiago, Alonso, Vidal, Ribery, Lewandowski, Costa
Key Stats
- Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in their last 26 matches at home in the Bundesliga.
- Bayern are undefeated in their last 20 league matches, 10 of which have come this season.
- Bayern have netted two or more goals in six of their last seven outings in the league.
- Bayern have not lost a single game in their last seven matches against Dortmund in all competitions.
Player to Watch: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Aubameyang has been in electric form this season, scoring 14 goals in 13 appearances across all competitions.
His blistering pace will surely be an asset to a Dortmund team that will look to counter Bayern with pace, and if anyone can penetrate Munich’s impressive defence this season it is Aubameyang.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 1-3 Bayern Munich
Even without Robben, Bayern Munich are a menace going forward. Dortmund’s defence has looked very shaky this season, while Bayern’s has been very impressive in the league.
Aubameyang will likely manage to score a goal, but this shouldn’t turn into too much of a test for Carlo Ancelotti’s side given Dortmund’s recent form.