Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund preview
The Bundesliga will likely have a winner this season, which will not be Bayern Munich. This sentence was last true in the 2011-12 season when Borussia Dortmund beat Bayern to the title. Now, the two teams meet each other yet again in the famous Der Klassiker. However, Dortmund are not in contention but could very well make their opponents’ title aspirations even bleaker with a victory or draw. Bayern Munich currently trail Xabi Alonso’s high-flying Bayer Leverkusen by ten points with only eight games to go.
Bayern Munich have been far from perfect this season. Manager Thomas Tuchel’s relationship with his players has deteriorated, causing massive tensions inside the dressing room. Players like Joshua Kimmich and Leroy Sane were not in the best of their form.
Their greatest weaknesses, though, have been their individual mistakes. The defence has been the major culprit, especially Dayot Upamecano. However, the club can take motivation from last season, when they won the league in the final minutes of a dramatic final match day.
On the other hand, Dortmund recovered after a slump in the middle half of the season. Since then, they have only lost one in their last 12 games. The return of Jadon Sancho on loan has also given the team a different edge in the attack.
Both teams have also made their way to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. This game is also important in a different context. With the revamped Champions League format that will be in effect starting next season, two of the top leagues on UEFA’s coefficient will get an additional slot in the competition. Bundesliga is currently among the top two, and if it stays that way, it could mean automatic promotion for the fourth-placed team. And with Dortmund currently ten points ahead of sixth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, Dortmund have a real chance of qualifying even if they finish fifth.
Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund predicted lineups
Bayern Munich lineup
Star striker Harry Kane, who pulled out of the England squad after injury, has recovered and is fit enough to feature in the game. After the injury to Noussair Mazraoui and Bouna Sarr, Sacha Boey was brought in the winter transfer window to fill the void. However, Boey has also joined the duo on the sidelines. This means that Kimmich (a former right-back himself) will play the role of something he did for Germany recently in the international friendlies. His spot in the midfield will be taken by Konrad Laimer.
Bayern Munich predicted lineup: Neuer; Davies, De Ligt, Upamecano, Kimmich; Laimer, Goretzka; Sane, Musiala, Muller; Kane
Borussia Dortmund lineup
Dortmund’s major injury concern remains their main goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel. If he fails to recover for the game, Alexander Meyer will continue in goal. Apart from that, the only other player in doubt is left-back Ramy Bensebaini, who suffered an injury while representing Algeria on international duty.
However, Julian Ryerson’s return will bolster Dortmund’s right-back spot and give them a good option against Leroy Sane’s pace and trickery. Sancho has also been impressive since returning and will start in the attack along with Niclas Fullkrug and Donyell Malen.
Borussia Dortmund predicted lineup: Meyer; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Ozcan, Can, Brandt; Sancho, Fullkrug, Malen
Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund predictions
For the better part of the last decade, Bayern Munich have had bragging rights over their rivals in the Der Klassiker. However, this season, Bayern have lost to far more underwhelming teams, which will give Dortmund a good chance to come away with something from the Allianz Arena.
Both teams have also been handed a very favourable draw in the Champions League, so they know a victory over their biggest rivals will give the winner a massive dose of confidence going into their continental tie.
However, what Bayern have in their favour is the experience of winning, and with the home crowd of Allianz Arena backing them, Tuchel’s men will come away with three points.
FootTheBall predicts a 3-1 win for Bayern Munich.