Prediction: Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund

Verdict: Bayern Munich

Best Odds: 13/20

Bookmaker: William Hill

Bundesliga champions lock horns with Borussia Dortmund in the latest edition of Der Klassiker derby on Saturday. It seems that the gap between the two great rivals has never been bigger, but not even the 15 points separating the two sides will be able to eliminate the competitive edge from this fixture.

Bayern Munich

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have let their seven-match winning run come to an end with the midweek defeat at Hoffenheim and the forthcoming derby against Dortmund will be a chance for the Bavarians to get back to winning ways and to show the Hoffenheim slip-up was just the one-off. Bayern Munich head into the Saturday’s Der Klassiker with the huge 15-point advantage in front of their fierce rivals, but the Saturday’s game will nevertheless be a keenly contested match. The hosts will be eager to exert revenge for the 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture back in November, when Borussia Dortmund recorded a win thanks to a sole goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The forthcoming fixture will be a duel between Bundesliga’s best strikers as Robert Lewandowski is expected to be in the starting line-up for Bayern despite some injury fears during the week. The in-form striker has been pictured holding his right hamstring during the Thursday training session, but the Bayern big-man himself has calmed the fans confirming that everything is fine with the muscle. Lewandowski is one goal behind the league’s top scorer, Aubameyang, who has so far bagged 25 goals for Dortmund. And Saturday’s game is Lewandowski’s chance to catch, or even leapfrog him at the top of the scoring charts.

Team News

Douglas Costa resumed training on Wednesday and could be involved in the match after missing out ever since the international break.

Manuel Neuer also appears to be fit to feature, where there is still a huge question mark on the availability of Thomas Muller, who is still struggling with his ankle injury.

Borussia Dortmund

It’s been a bumpy ride so far for Borussia Dortmund, who failed to keep up the pace with Bayern Munich in the running for the Bundesliga title this season. Fifteen-point difference behind the Bavarians is due to Dortmund’s early-season inconsistency which cost them too many points on the domestic front. Five defeats and no less than eight draws after 27 Bundesliga games is not a record Dortmund fans are used to seeing as their team keeps struggling to find consistency in their Bundesliga run. Thomas Tuchel is doing his best with the extremely talented squad but is facing a difficult summer, which could result in some of the key players heading towards the exit doors. Dortmund boasts a young team, filled with exciting players who are expected to become world stars in the near future and Tuchel will be keen to hold on to his best players in order to get back into the Bundesliga title race next term. Still, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looking towards the exit door, Dortmund could lose a big influence on the pitch for the next campaign. The Gabon international has been in lethal form once again this term, but is keen to hit the road for pastures greener as he continues to dream about Real Madrid.

Team News

Dortmund travel to Allianz Arena without Durm, Larsen, Schurrle and Mario Gotze, who is still struggling with a potentially career-ending illness.

Marco Reus is a doubt due to his thigh injury, whereas Sebastian Rode’s involvement in the Saturday’s Der Klassiker is questioned as well.

Key Factors to Consider

• Dortmund could miss up to six first-team players for Saturday’s Der Klassiker
• Bayern boast a 15-point lead in front BVB on top of Bundesliga standings
• Bayern Munich’s loss to Hoffenheim was their 1^st in last 24 matches
• There have been under 2.5 goals in last four Der Klassiker derbies
• Both teams did not score in any of those last 4 matches either

Conclusion

It’s been two years since Borussia Dortmund last won at Bayern, and given their current inconsistent form the visitors could be in for yet another beating. Bayern Munich are given a big boost with Robert Lewandowski being ready to play and we expect to see a home win in the Saturday’s Der Klassiker.

Verdict: Bayern Munich

Best Odds: 13/20

Bookmaker: William Hill