Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich preview: A season-defining clash at the top

Here’s our preview for Saturday’s top-spiel clash between Dortmund and Bayern – with form, team news and predicted lineups included.

Borussia Dortmund:

This Saturday’s top-spiel clash sets up one of the season’s most anticipated games as Borussia Dortmund host Bayern Munich from 18:30 CET. With the gap currently 8 points, a win for either side could go along way towards claiming the Meisterschale.

Despite their strong domestic form with six wins and two draws since the new year began, BVB’s spirits took a dent in Europe. On Wednesday, they bowed out of the Champions League after a dismal 4-1 defeat to Atalanta in the play-offs.

Niko Kovač must quickly raise the spirits once again ahead of this almighty task. Bayern still remain the only side to have beaten Dortmund after 23 Bundesliga games. Partly due to vast improvements in BVB’s defence, conceding a second-fewest 22 goals this campaign. 

In their last outing on the domestic front, the Westphalians showed fighting spirit to dig out a late 2-2 draw in Leipzig. If they are to close the gap to league leaders Bayern tomorrow, Kovač’s side will need to dip into every last drop in their energy reserves to match that. 

Team news:

Niko Kovač confirmed in his press conference that Nico Schlotterbeck is fit to start, however both Niklas Süle (hamstring) and Filippo Mane (muscular problems) are out while Julian Ryerson serves a yellow card suspension.

Gregor Kobel ought to start behind Can, Anton and Schlotterbeck. In midfield, Couto and Svensson should play outside of Nmecha and Bellingham. Adeyemi and Beier will likely support sole striker Guirassy. 

Predicted lineup: Kobel – Can, Anton, Schlotterbeck – Couto, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson – Adeyemi, Beier – Guirassy

FC Bayern Munich:

As for Bayern Munich, things look pretty good from their perspective in the German topflight which they lead by 8 points. Ultimately, avoiding defeat would be satisfactory but a win would effectively see them place one hand on the title already. 

After their late January ‘blip’ in form – if you could even call it that – Vincent Kompany’s men look very much back on track. Despite conceding two late goals last weekend when facing Eintracht Frankfurt, the Bavarians led comfortably for most of the game. 

Harry Kane found himself back among the goals, which will leave him primed for their trip to Dortmund – a side he’s scored four times against in his five times facing them. The 32-year-old marksman will be confident he can add to that tally no doubt. 

Making things even sweeter for Bayern is less lactic acid in the legs. A second place finish in the Champions League group phase meant avoiding the play-off round entirely. All in all, 180 less minutes of football than their yellow and black counterparts in the last 10 days. 

Team news:

With all three suffering a torn muscle fibre, Alphonso Davies, Hiroki Ito and Manuel Neuer are set to miss out for Bayern. The latter was pictured driving home after their final training session rather than on the team bus to the airport.

Urbig should tend to the goal behind Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah and Laimer. Kimmich and Pavlović ought to anchor the midfield with Olise, Gnabry and Diaz. Up front, Kane is expected to spearhead the attack.

Predicted lineup: Urbig – Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer – Kimmich, Pavlović – Olise, Gnabry, Díaz – Kane