Verdict: Both teams to score – yes
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: 888sport
It’s time for another edition of Der Klassiker! The top two sides in the Bundesliga over the last decade, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, are set to collide this Saturday at Allianz Arena. While neither has looked overly dominant this season, we can expect intensity and emotions from start to finish in this one. Kick-off for this encounter has been set at 19:30 GMT.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have gone through several changes over the past few days. Following their disastrous 5-1 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt this past weekend, the Board of Directors decided to sack Niko Kovac and Hans-Dieter Flick has taken over as his replacement. It remains to be seen whether Flick’s tenure will be a short-term thing, or if he will be in charge of the squad for the remainder of the season, but the 54-year-old tactician started his tenure with a 2-0 home win over Olympiacos earlier this week. For what is worth, Bayern must improve in the Bundesliga standings since they sit in fourth place with 18 points (W5, D3, L2). They have also won just two of their last five league matches (W2, D1, L2), and their mark of 16 goals conceded is the highest among any Top 10 team in the Bundesliga this season. Clearly, Die Roten have a lot of areas where they can improve. But defeating Dortmund would be a step in the right direction.
Team News
Bayern Munich will be depleted defensively since Niklas Sule (ACL) and Jerome Boateng (suspension) have both been ruled out.
To make things even more complicated, Lucas Hernandez has been ruled out with an ankle injury. And promising striker Jann-Fiete Arp is out with a wrist problem.
Borussia Dortmund
Marginally better than their opponents, Dortmund sit in second place of the Bundesliga standings with 19 points (W5, D4, L1) although they are three points adrift the league leaders, Borussia Monchengladbach. Dortmund arrive into this game following a convincing 3-0 home win over Wolfsburg the last time out, a result that extended their undefeated run in the Bundesliga to seven games (W3, D4). Furthermore, Dortmund are also coming off a huge 3-2 home win over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League earlier this week, a result that puts them quite close to reach a spot in the competition’s knockout stages. They are on a three-game winning streak in all competitions, and one of the main reasons of their success has been their balance. Dortmund have either scored multiple goals and/or kept a clean sheet in nine of their last 1o matches in all competitions. Can they back that up with a huge win over one of their biggest rivals?
Team News
Dortmund do not have confirmed absentees ahead of this match. However, several players have been deemed as questionable by manager Lucien Favre.
Thorgan Hazard (thigh), Marco Reus (ankle) and Jadon Sancho (thigh) are the names that standout the most. However, Marwin Hitz (back) and Marcel Schmelzer (hip) will also be game-time decisions.
Key Factors to Consider
- Three of the last four H2H meetings have seen the home side score multiple times, and shutout the opposition.
- Four of the last five matches between these two sides have ended with over 2.5 goals scoring. Three have seen both sides find the back of the net.
- The last three competitive Der Klassiker matches here followed the same pattern. There has been one goal in the first 15 minutes, and another goal in the final 15 minutes.
- Four of Bayern’s last five matches in all competitions have seen both sides scoring.
- However, the same can be said about just two of Dortmund’s last five competitive games.
Conclusion
Only two of the last five H2H meetings have ended with both teams scoring. However, both sides are in dire need of a win here. They know the three points are a must if they want to move closer to the top of the standings.
As a result, we can expect both clubs to find the back of the net once again.
Verdict: Both teams to score – yes
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: 888sport
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