Preview
There will be fireworks when Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund face each other in the Der Klassiker derby today.
Bayern Munich’s once commanding lead at the top of the Bundesliga is down to just two points.
Second-place RB Leipzig could leapfrog Bayern Munich in the standings with a win versus Freiburg away earlier in the day. The pressure will be on Bayern Munich to either keep a distance between themselves and RB Leipzig, or to return to the top of the table at the end of Saturday.
Borussia Dortmund have recovered from their terrible run of form in December and January. The Yellow and Black are fifth in the division with 39 points from 23 games. They are three points off of fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt thanks to a run of three games without a loss. Back-to-back Borussia Dortmund matches finished in wins.
Thirteen points separate Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga standings. Any hope of winning the title evaporated in December for Borussia Dortmund. Bayern Munich have won four straight matches in all competitions against Borussia Dortmund.
This time around, Dortmund are not in the title race but they could put a dent in Bayern’s title ambitions.
Bayern Munich
Last season’s kings of Europe have not looked back since losing 4-1 at Hoffenheim at the end of September and they have won four consecutive Bundesliga matches, scoring 15 goals along the way.
They have lost only one of their last 37 matches in all competitions and their tally of 24 goals in six league games – an average of four a games – is 11 more than Dortmund have managed in the same number of matches.
That said, Bayern’s gung-ho approach always leaves them susceptible at the back and Dortmund, armed with the services of Jadon Sancho, Erling Haaland, Thorgan Hazard and Julien Brandt, have the quality to get on the score-sheet.
Bayern have shipped nine goals in six league outings this season and have managed only three clean sheets in their last 11 games in all competitions. That could be something for Dortmund to try and capitalize on.
However, Bayern’s 67 league goals scored so far means only Ajax have scored more than the Bavarians in Europe’s top five games. On the flip side, Dortmund will have to worry about this as well.
Borussia Dortmund
Entering March in a disappointing fifth place, Borussia Dortmund have experienced a mixed 2021 in league action so far (W5, D2, L3). Yet, they have a clear method of their own, claiming four first-half clean sheets (including three goalless first halves) across those five wins, and netting exactly two goals beyond the hour mark thrice.
Dortmund’s culture for winning at all costs is particularly evident on their travels, with just one draw from their last 24 Bundesliga away games (W15, D1, L8).
Dortmund seemed to have picked form in time, losing just once in their last eight games and winning their last four in succession. They’ve not had luck in this fixture over recent years but they’ll fancy their chances at taking something today.
How the Match Could Go
We expect another high-scoring game once again and it could well be a case of who scores the most. The last edition of the German classic was in November of 2020, when Bayern Munich prevailed 2:3 away at Signal Iduna Park. That was а repeat of the two rivals meeting in the final of the Super Cup, earlier in September which also finished in 2:3 victory in Bayern’s favour. With Bayern not looking great in defence of late, another high-scoring fixture is expected at the Allianz Arena.
Tip: Bayern Munich to Win
The Allianz Arena has been a graveyard for Borussia Dortmund in recent seasons. Borussia Dortmund have not won in Munich in the league since the 2013-14 campaign. They have struggled away in Bavaria as six straight games at the Allianz Arena in the Bundesliga have ended in wins for Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich thrashed Borussia Dortmund in their last three games played in the Bundesliga at the Allianz Arena. The Bavarians scored a combined 15 goals against Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund’s DFB Pokal win in 2017 remains their only successful visit in the last seven trips south.
April 2014 was the last time there was a Bundesliga win for Dortmund in an away game against Bayern. Since then, the Bavarians have won all six meetings and it seems to now be a fairly comfortable fixture for them. We expect Bayern to win today once again. Bet365 have 1.57 odds, Bet9ja have 1.60 and 1xbet have 1.64.
Both Teams to Score
The last two matches between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in all competitions finished with both teams scoring goals. Although Bayern Munich have won their last three Bundesliga matches against Borussia Dortmund at home by a combined score-line of 15-0, they should concede goals to an in-form Yellow and Black. Bayern Munich’s defence hasn’t been great, conceding 32 times in 23 Bundesliga matches. Bet9ja have 1.32 odds for this to happen while Bet365 and 1xbet have 1.36.
Over 2.5 Goals
Taking the form of both sides into consideration as well as history and what the recent results of both sides look like, you can understand why this is certainly expected. In fact, the odds for this to happen show just how much the bookies believe it’ll come through as well. Bet9ja have 1.27 odds, Bet365 have 1.28 and 1xbet have 1.29.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Bayern Munich)
Lewandowski
It would be wrong to predict anyone scoring for Bayern without mentioning his name. With 34 goals scored already this season, he is by far the highest goal-scorer in Europe. Not to forget that he is also the highest goal-scorer in the history of this fixture. This game would also see Lewandowski come up against his former side and players are always fired up on such occasions. Well, we’re expecting him to score once again. Bet365 have 1.36 odds while Bet9ja have 1.57.
Gnabry
The German comes into this fixture with good form, having bagged a brace against Koln last time out. He is Bayern’s third highest goal-scorer this term after Lewandowski and Muller and he could yet be on the score-sheet once again today. Bet365 have 1.90 odds while Bet9ja have 2.10 odds for him to score.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Borussia Dortmund)
Haaland
Despite being at Dortmund for just about 15 months, he has already scored three times against Bayern Munich. Last time both sides met, he was on the score-sheet and could yet repeat that feat today. The ‘goal machine’ is Dortmund’s top-scorer this term with 17 league goals and he’ll be aiming to hit 20 soon enough. Bet365 have 1.72 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have it better at 1.90.
Sancho
Sancho also comes into this fixture with decent form at the moment. The Englishman has scored in each of his last three games for Dortmund, while registering two assists as well. After Haaland, he is Dortmund’s next highest goal-scorer and he’ll be fired up to keep up his impressive form today. Bet365 have 3.00 odds while Bet9ja have 3.20.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
