The biggest fixture in the Bundesliga returns this weekend as Borussia Dortmund host Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker on Saturday for the 134th time.
Bayern Munich are coming off the back of a disappointing shock defeat to FC Saarbrücken in the DFB Pokal whilst Borussia Dortmund gained a 1-0 win over Hoffenheim in the cup.
After an impressive 8-0 victory against Darmstadt, Bayern Munich came crashing straight back down to earth as their loss to Saarbrücken in midweek was one of the most embarrassing results that the club had gained in a long time, with Saarbrücken currently playing two leagues below the Bundesliga champions.
Since their defeat, Bayern have had less than three days to prepare for their trip to Dortmund who sit two points behind Thomas Tuchel’s side. A win for Bayern could potentially place them on top of the table, depending on the result of league leaders Bayer Leverkusen against Hoffenheim.
Borussia Dortmund are currently enjoying a run of good form having recently progressed to the last 16 of the DFB Pokal, winning 1-0 away at Newcastle United in the Champions League last week and are unbeaten in the Bundesliga so far.
Edin Terzic’s side now face their toughest test yet in the Bundesliga but will enter this game with confidence, especially with their impressive home form.
Bayern Munich will be without defender Matthijs de Ligt as he suffered a ligament tear in his knee on Wednesday and will be sidelined for around 4-6 weeks.
Joshua Kimmich will also miss the match as he is currently serving a two-match ban following his red card against Darmstadt.
Dayot Upamecano is a minor doubt with a muscle problem, but the centre-back could return to the first XI to replace De ligt while Noussair Mazraoui will likely replace Bouna Sarr at right-back.
In the absence of Kimmich, Leon Goretzka is set to partner Konrad Laimer in centre-midfield.
Emre Can is a doubt for Borussia Dortmund as he has missed the last two games with a knee injury and Julien Duranville also remains out with a thigh problem.
Salih Özcan will be likely to continue in midfield due to Can’s absence and will be partnered in midfield by either Felix Nmecha or former Bayern Munich player Marcel Sabitzer.
GGFN | Matthew Gritton
