The top-level competitive football kicks off in Germany on Saturday as Bayern Munich face Borussia Dortmund in the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup at Signal Iduna Park. Die Roten have enjoyed a productive pre-season as Vincent Kompany has managed to get the players up to speed while getting positive results. They remain the team to beat in Germany.
Bayern are unbeaten against Dortmund in the last four competitive games. Kompany’s men are favourites for Saturday’s game, but form goes out of the window in a knockout cup game. Kompany will hope to lift the cup this weekend and set the tone for the new season.
Team News
Vincent Kompany will have a strong squad available for the clash against Borussia Dortmund. New arrivals Nathaniel Brown and Ismael Saibari are likely to make their professional debuts for Bayern on Saturday. Bara Sapoko Ndiaye is also expected to be in the matchday squad after completing a permanent move to Bayern earlier this summer.
Jamal Musiala will miss the Der Klassiker on Saturday as the German attacking midfielder trained individually this week. He is expected to play against VfB Stuttgart next Friday. Lennart Karl and Serge Gnabry are also ruled out for the game against Dortmund as they continue their recoveries from respective injuries.
Predicted Starting XI
Vincent Kompany reiterated last week that Manuel Neuer is the number one for Bayern. The 40-year-old is expected to start in goal against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. He will look to bounce back from a disappointing World Cup with Germany.
Dayot Upamecano reported for pre-season training last week as France went deep in the World Cup. The French defender may not start against Dortmund as he is building fitness and rhythm. Kim Min-jae is likely to play alongside Jonathan Tah in the heart of defense. Nathaniel Brown is expected to start in the left-back role, while Konrad Laimer will be deployed in the right-back position.
The selection in midfield is straightforward for Bayern on Saturday. Joshua Kimmich will play alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic in the center of the park. Kimmich missed the midweek pre-season friendly against Heidenheim due to a minor injury.
Kompany is expected to go all out in the attack against Dortmund. Harry Kane will lead the line with Ismael Saibari playing behind him. Michael Olise is expected to take up the right-wing slot, while Luis Diaz will play on the left side of the attack.
Bayern XI: Neuer; Brown, Tah, Kim Min-jae, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Diaz, Saibari, Olise; Kane
Score Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-2 Borussia Dortmund
Bayern got the better of Dortmund last season on numerous occasions. The defending Bundesliga champions are favourites for Saturday’s clash. Since teams are likely to be rusty as players build fitness for the new season, it will be a goal fest on Saturday. Die Roten’s prolific attack will do enough to clinch a narrow victory.
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