Borussia Dortmund will be eager to avenge the loss from the reverse fixture when they square up against Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker.
Only a miracle can help Bayern Munich retain the league title from here but when they host Borussia Dortmund, they will only be concerned with making sure they get the better of their rivals and complete a double over them. Meanwhile, the visitors will be eager to avenge the 4-0 hammering that they suffered on their own home turf.
Bayern Munich have accumulated 60 points in their 26 matches this season. They have not been at their best and are currently ten points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen with eight matches to go.
Die Roten have been unbeaten in their last five games and have won each of their last three games in all competitions. They are heading into this fixture on the back of a 5-2 win over Darmstadt. Despite not being at their best this term, they will still be confident of completing a double over the team in yellow and black.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund are fourth in the league with 50 points in their 26 outings. They are closely followed by RB Leipzig, who are just a point behind. As a result, they cannot afford to drop points. Having said that, it won’t be easy to take down Bayern Munich, that too in their backyard.
Since losing to Hoffenheim at home, they have won each of their last four games in all competitions. The visitors are heading into this one on the back of a 3-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. It was a dominant display, and they will look for something similar. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
Harry Kane picked up a knock during the international break and had to leave the England camp early. But, he is back training and will most likely start in this fixture. Aleksandar Pavlovic is also back in training, while the availability of Raphael Guerreiro and Manuel Neuer is doubtful as they did not train with the team on Thursday.
Sacha Boey and Noussair Mazraoui are both out injured, which means they have a crisis at right-back, and Joshua Kimmich should be the one taking up that role. Even Kingsley Coman is unavailable.
Thomas Tuchel will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Sven Ulreich will take charge in goal. Kimmich and Alphonso Davies will be the full-backs for the home team, while Eric Dier will feature alongside Matthijs de Ligt in the heart of the defence.
Konrad Laimer and Leon Goretzka will form a double pivot in the centre of the park. The duo will look to dictate the pace of this game. Thomas Muller will feature as an attacking midfielder while Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala will take charge on the flanks. Meanwhile, star striker Harry Kane will lead the line for Bayern Munich against Borussia Dortmund.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ulreich; Kimmich, Dier, de Ligt, Davies; Laimer, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Musiala; Kane
Borussia Dortmund
Ramy Bensebaini’s season is over after picking up an injury on the international break, and he joins Gregor Kobel on the sidelines. Marcel Sabitzer is suspended, while Julian Ryerson, Sebastien Haller and Felix Nmecha are all available for this all-important clash against Bayern Munich.
Edin Terzic will go ahead with the 4-3-3 formation, with Alexander Meyer taking up the gloves. Julian Ryerson and Ian Maatsen will be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, they will have Mats Hummels pairing up with Nico Schlotterbeck.
Emre Can will start as the defensive midfielder, while Salih Ozcan and Julian Brandt will be in his support. The trio will look to ensure Bayern Munich do not end up dominating the ball. Jadon Sancho and Donyell Malen will feature on the flanks. The duo will provide width to their attacks. Niclas Fullkrug will lead the line for Borussia Dortmund.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Meyer; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Ozcan, Can, Brandt; Sancho, Fullkrug, Malen
Key Stats
- The reverse fixture between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund ended 4-0 in the favour of Die Roten.
- The home team have an impressive record against Borussia Dortmund, having won 67 out of the 134 matches. The visitors only have 32 wins.
- Bayern Munich’s 32 defeats at the hands of Borussia Dortmund are the most they have suffered against any team in Germany.
- In all competitions, the visitors are winless in their last 11 matches against Bayern.
- For the first time in 14 years, the two teams will square up in the second half of the season without either of them being at the top of the table.
Player to Watch
Jadon Sancho
Since his return to Germany, Sancho has slowly started to regain his form. His failed move to Manchester United has surely taken a toll on him. But he has put in a lot of work during the international break, which means he could end up having a huge say in this fixture. He already has four goal contributions for Dortmund in the second half of the season and will look to add to it against Bayern Munich.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-2 Borussia Dortmund
It promises to be an edge-of-the-seat thriller, with both teams in desperate need of all three points. While history favours Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund have been in good form of late, and they will surely give the team in red a run for their money.
In the end, the home team might just come out on top with the smallest of margins because of the kind of quality they have up top. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-2 win for Bayern Munich.
