Verdict: Over 3.5 goals
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: 888sport
Two of Germany’s biggest clubs Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund lock horns in another edition of the Klassiker on Wednesday. Following the Bundesliga duel in November, the Bavarians and BVB now go head to head in the DFB Cup last 16 at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich
A hard-fought win at Stuttgart last weekend allowed Bayern Munich to extend their lead at the top of the Bundesliga standings. The Bavarians now boast an 11-point advantage courtesy of Thomas Muller who struck the only goal of the game with 11 minutes from time. The gapping advantage in front of second-placed Schalke now allows Bayern Munich to fully concentrate on the DFB Cup challenge as Jupp Heynckes’ men look to record the second victory over their fierce rivals this season.
Bayern travelled to Dortmund back in November when they picked a comfortable 3-1 win in the Bundesliga. The Bavarians opened a two-goal lead in the first half through Robben and Lewandowski, before Alaba scored the third seven minutes after the hour mark. Marc Bartra scored the consolation goal two minutes before the final whistle. Bayern Munich appear to be back to their best following a troublesome start to the season and they would be rather keen to display their dominance once again and get one back over BVB for the last-seasons Cup defeat.
Team News
David Alaba and Franck Ribery are pushing for a recall to the starting line-up while Arjen Robben is in line for a comeback for the first time since November when he picked up a thigh injury against Anderlecht in the Champions League.
Borussia Dortmund
The DFB holders are in a much better place now than they were in their November’s 3-1 beating at the hands of Bayern Munich. Borussia Dortmund endured a torrid start to the campaign which forced the club hierarchy to part ways with Peter Bosz. His namesake Peter Stoger took over and managed to transform the atmosphere in less than two weeks’ time. The former FC Koln boss guided his team to back-to-back wins over Mainz and Hoffenheim but the upcoming clash will be a much tougher test for the new manager.
Dortmund had it relatively easy in the previous rounds of the DFB Cup, reaching the last 16 stage with wins over Rielasingen-Arlen (4-0) and third-tiers Magdeburg (5-0). Stoger is well aware of the test ahead of him and will be keen to avoid losing his sixth match as manager against Bayern Munich. Dortmund beat Bayern Munich 3-2 in the semifinals of the competition last season en route to lifting the trophy and a similar achievement will be required this time if DFB holders plan are to get one step closer to defending their title.
Team News
The US Player of the Year Christian Pulisic is expected to once again be shifted to right wing as Stoger hopes BVB starlet would put in another fine performance against Bayern Munich.
The new BVB boss faces plenty of selection issues, however, with the likes of Marco Reus and Mario Gotze still unavailable through injury.
Key Factors to Consider
- Bayern Munich won 14 of their last 15 matches in all competitions
- Bavarians kept a clean sheet in their last 3 matches
- Bayern won their last seven home matches in all competitions
- BVB successfully ended nine-match winless run with back-to-back victories under new boss
- There were over 3.5 goals scored in 4 of last 5 Klassiker matches
Conclusion
Meetings between two of Germany’s top clubs usually are filled with great energy and motivation as both sides go for a win that means much more than three points or passage to the next round. Bayern and BVB play for pride and bragging rights and we have no doubts it will be the same this time around.
Verdict: Over 3.5 goals
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: 888sport
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