It’s one of the highlights of the season as Bayern Munich host Borussia Dortmund, if this wasn’t enough this time its with some added spice as Bayern can secure the title with victory.
There are few more exhilarating sights in world football than that of the red shirts of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund’s famous black-and-yellow kits mixing it up inside a packed, passion-filled stadium.
Bayern are currently sitting nine points ahead of Dortmund and can claim the Meisterschale for the 10th year in a row.
Stats
The two teams have been virtually identical since we moved into 2022. The Bundesliga’s top two have both picked up 29 points from their 13 league outings in the Rückrunde with identical records of nine wins, two draws and two defeats.
It’s in attack where these two teams mostly make their mark. Bayern have found the back of the net 89 times so far this campaign – just one shy of the league record at this juncture they set in 2019/20.
Second in the scoring stakes is BVB on 76. That total trails only their 2019/20 tally after 30 matchdays of 81 and is seven more than the third-best attack in this season, Bayer Leverkusen (69).
And the main reason for the goals is the talismen for both teams Erling Haaland, he BVB striker boasts the Bundesliga’s best individual shot efficiency of +4.9.
To simplify this, it means he has scored 18 times despite the probability of his chances suggesting he should only have 13.1.
And for comparison, Robert Lewandowski is pretty much as expected with 32 goals from an xG of 31.8.
This includes hitting the woodwork a league-high eight times but, although appearing less clinical than Haaland, it shows he takes the chances that come his way and is also a sign of just how many opportunities he does get.
Tale of the tape
The tale of the tape is simple, a Bayern win would bring an unprecedented 10th consecutive Bundesliga title to Munich, at home, and against none other than the team with whom they have formed a crunching rivalry.
For Dortmund, the challenge will be to deprive Julian Nagelsmann’s league leaders from getting their hands on the Meisterschale, at least for one more week.
There may currently be nine points between the sides in the standings, but the sense of unpredictability in terms of the outcome of the game is huge, adding to the intrigue for all who will witness this Saturday’s spectacular grudge match.
Meet the Captains
The towering figure of Manuel Neuer will go down in history as perhaps the greatest goalkeeper to ever grace the game, redefining what it means to play in goal.
His presence alone is sometimes enough to put off opposition players, while his position in the Bayern changing room saw him take on the armband after Philipp Lahm retired in 2017.
Marco Reus or Mr Dortmund has long been a figure of identification for the BVB faithful, who have always stood by him despite a string of injuries since re-joining his boyhood club in 2012.
Even then, he was named club captain for the 2018/19 campaign and would go on to be voted Germany’s Footballer of the Year that season.
Predicted Line-Ups
Bayern: Neuer (c) – Pavard, Süle, Hernandez, Davies – Kimmich, Goretzka – Gnabry, Müller, Sane – Lewandowski
Out: Richards (cold), Sarr (knee), Tolisso (hamstring)
Doubtful: Coman (ankle)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Dortmund: Hitz – Pongracic, Akanji, Zagadou – Wolf, Can, Bellingham, Guerreiro – Brandt, Reus (c) – Haaland
Out: Dahoud (shoulder), Hummels (thigh), Kobel (ankle), Meunier (hamstring), Morey (knee), Reyna (hamstring), Schmelzer (knee), Tigges (ankle), Witsel (ill)
Doubtful: Hazard (back), Malen (muscular)
Coach: Marco Rose
Betting Odds
Bayern have won their last six competitive games against Dortmund, including two victories at Signal Iduna Park already this season.
In Munich they are completely dominant when it comes to this fixture, winning the last eight meetings at the Allianz Arena.
In their last six home matches against BVB, Bayern have racked up goal tallies of two, six, five, four, three and four.
Bayern To Win 4/11 via William Hill
Robert Lewandowski loves playing against his old club Dortmund. Scoring 13 goals in his last seven games against them, and stretching further back he has found the net 26 times in 25 meetings.
Lewandowski to score Hatrick 15/2 via William Hill enhanced odds
For those Dortmund fans best value for money is to use talisman Erling Haaland in context with any bet, best value for money currently.
Haaland to score anytime and Dortmund win 13/2 via William Hill
Haaland to score 2 or more 6/1 via William Hill
Image credit Bundesliga PR
