Bayern Munich gear up to host their bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund, and possibly win another title, on Bundesliga matchday 28.
The Bavarians have an opportunity to clinch the Bundesliga title against their modern-day rivals Borussia Dortmund, provided Schalke drop points against Freiburg. Bayern Munich will be hoping to gain some momentum ahead of their quarter-final Champions League tie against Sevilla on Wendesday.
RB Leipzig ended Bayern’s unbeaten run of 18 games in all competitions just before the international break. The Bavarians received a good wake up call before entering the crucial phase of the season. They currently have a 17-point lead at the top of the German table.
Borussia Dortmund have been enduring a somewhat difficult season, as they have failed to find any type of consistency in their results. They currently sit third in the Bundesliga, 18 points behind Bayern Munich. Dortmund will be hoping to gain an upper hand in the top four race by beating Bayern on Saturday.
Team News
Bayern Munich will have a strong squad for the game against Borussia Dortmund. Manuel Neuer is back on the pitch in training, but he is unlikely to play on Saturday. Arturo Vidal will miss this game due to a minor thigh injury.
Juan Bernat is also going to miss this game due to a minor knee injury. Corentin Tolisso and Thiago Alcantara have shaken off their injuries after featuring for their countries during the international break. Kingsley Coman will not be available for the Bavarians as he remains on the sidelines due to a knee injury he suffered last month.
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Predicted XI
Jupp Heynckes will select his starting eleven with an eye on the game against Sevilla. Sven Ulreich will start in goal after a good amount of much-deserved rest during the international break. Joshua Kimmich and David Alaba are likely to take up the full-back positions. In the heart of defense, Mats Hummels will partner Niklas Sule.
Javi Martinez was not called up for the Spanish National team so he will be fresh for this game. The Spaniard will probably start in the holding midfield position. Thiago Alcantara is likely to partner his countryman in the center of the park, while James Rodriguez will slot in the most attacking midfield position.
Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the Bayern Munich. The Polish forward is likely to be supported by Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben on both flanks. Heynckes will be hoping that he does not have any more injury headaches after this game, particularly in attacking positions.
"UlreichKimmich-Sule-Hummels-AlabaThiago-MartinezRobben-Rodriguez-MullerLewandowski"
Opposition Focus
Borussia Dortmund have already suffer two der Klassiker defeats this season. They will be hoping to get it right on the third instance. Dortmund suffered a major blow on Thursday when Marco Reus was ruled out for this game due to injury.
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Despite their captain’s absence, Dortmund have many game-changing players in the squad. Michy Batshuayi has been in fine form since his arrival from Chelsea in January. Christian Pulisic is another attacking player on whom Bayern will have to keep a close eye on. Apart from these two, Shinji Kagawa, Mario Gotze and Andriy Yarmolenko are each devastating players on their day. Bayern will have to be solid defensively, as they will be subject to numerous counter-attacks. The home side are firm favorites, but Dortmund will be hoping to delay their title celebrations.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-0 Borrusia Dortmund