A huge game in the Bundesliga takes place on Saturday afternoon, when fourth-placed Dortmund travel to Bavaria to play runaway leaders Bayern Munich.
Bayern have won five of their last six games in all competitions, however defeat to Hoffenheim on Tuesday will have hurt Carlo Ancelotti’s team. Furthermore, with a big Champions League fixture against Real Madrid next week, Bayern have lost a bit of momentum. It was only Bayern’s second defeat in the Bundesliga this season and is always the case in Munich when a loss occurs, an inquest was held. Hoffenheim scored the only goal in the game in the 29th minute and had it not been for Thomas Ulreich, standing in for Manuel Neuer in goal, then it could arguably have been more. Bayern’s chances of an equaliser lay at the feet of Robert Lewandowski, but the Pole hit the crossbar in the first half and was left frustrated for much of the game.
Like Bayern, Dortmund have also been on a good run of late, which has seen them win four of their last six games in all competitions. Thomas Tuchel has constructed a team full of some of Europe’s most promising youngsters. If the club can keep all of them at the club, then expect them to be more challenging in the Bundesliga than their current fourth place suggests. They’re just one point behind Hoffenheim in third, but have scored six more goals than them over the course of the season.
Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund Predictions
The Real Madrid game in midweek will be more important for Bayern, as there’s no threat to them dropping down to second in the table. However, this game is against rivals Dortmund, which is sure to motivate the players.
Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund Betting Tips
- Bayern Munich to win: 20/31
- Draw: 29/10
- Dortmund to win: 17/4
- Robert Lewandowski to score first: 23/10
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score anytime: 27/20
Head to Head
- Dortmund won the reverse fixture 1-0 back in November.
- Bayern Munich have won two of the last five meetings between the teams (D2 L1).
- In the last four meetings between the two sides, there have been just three goals, including two goalless draws.
Bayern Munich Team News
Douglas Costa returned to training on Wednesday, but is unlikely to feature against Dortmund. However, Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer will both miss out, but should return for the Champions League quarter final clash with Real Madrid next week.
Bayern Munich Probable Line Up: Sven Ulreich, Philipp Lahm, Mats Hummels, Javi Martinez, David Alaba, Xabi Alonso, Arturo Vidal, Arjen Robben, Thiago, Franck Ribery, Robert Lewandowski
Substitutes: Tom Starke, Jerome Boateng, Juan Bernat, Rafinha, Kingsley Coman, Joshua Kimmich, Renato Sanches
Borussia Dortmund Team News
Mario Gotze, Marco Reus, Andre Schurrle and Sebastian Rode will all miss out on the trip to the Allianz Arena.
Borussia Dortmund Probable Line Up: Roman Burki, Lukasz Piszczek, Sokratis Papasthathopoulos, Marc Bartra, Marcel Schmelzer, Julian Weigl, Christian Pulisic, Shinji Kagawa, Gonzalo Castro, Ousmane Dembele, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Substitutes: Roman Weidenfeller, Sven Bender, Matthias Ginter, Raphael Guerreiro, Park Joo-ho, Felix Passlack, Mikel Merino, Emre Mor, Nuri Sahin, Alexander Isak