Prediction: Both Teams to Score and Dortmund to Win
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A monumental battle in the fight for the Bundesliga crown is in the offing on Tuesday evening as Der Klassiker takes place at the Signal Iduna Park.
Dortmund host their great rivals Bayern Munich in what looks like a key clash in the title race following the resumption of the league.
Borussia Dortmund
Despite the coronavirus pandemic pausing German football for a few months, Lucien Favre s Dortmund have picked up exactly where they left off in their last two matches. They at first secured a big 4-0 victory against rivals Schalke 04 before following that up with a 2-0 success against Wolfsburg. That means that they have won their last six matches in the league, securing clean sheets in five of those. Dortmund have not managed to win seven consecutive league matches since 2012. They are also extremely strong on home soil having not lost in the league their since a 4-2 defeat to Schalke back in April 2019. The team s excellent recent form has seen them propel themselves back into contention for the Bundesliga crown. With a win against league leaders Bayern on Tuesday, they could be potentially just one point off top spot, teeing the German top division up for a fascinating conclusion.
Team News
Marco Reus remains out for Dortmund with a thigh injury, whilst Nico Schulz and Dan-Axel Zagadou are also restricted to the sidelines. Elsewhere, midfielder Axel Witsel, who has yet to appear following the resumption of the Bundesliga is still a slight doubt with a groin problem. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho who made a cameo in the win against Wolfsburg at the weekend, could potentially return to the starting line-up.
Bayern Munich
Whilst opponents Dortmund have secured two convincing wins upon their return to action, Hansi Flick s troops are yet to really engage top gear despite also having claimed maximum points. A 2-0 win against Union Berlin was followed by a 5-2 victory against struggling Eintracht Frankfurt. Despite the scoreline somewhat suggesting Bayern dominance, the current reigning champions did look vulnerable at times, with Frankfurt having pulled the game back to 3-2. Regardless, they now sit four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table, with a potential victory on Tuesday being a huge boost to their chances of lifting a 29th title. One aspect that will give Flick s men great confidence of notching three points is their form away from home in the league this term. Bayern have won their last six away matches in the league. They have not won seven in a row since the 2013/14 season.
Team News
The main problems for Bayern heading into the match are in midfield. Spaniard Thiago Alcantara is yet to make his return to training from a groin injury so he is set to miss out once again. He joins Corentin Tolisso and on-loan Barcelona man Phillipe Coutinho on the sidelines. Elsewhere, defender Niklas Sule is doubtful. In more positive news though, Serge Gnabry could be recalled to the starting lineup having started the last two matches on the bench.
Key Facts To Consider
Bayern Munich have notched 59 wins in this particular fixture, with Dortmund only having 33 to their name
Bayern have won the last two Der Klassiker matches by an aggregate scoreline of 9-0
Robert Lewandowski has scored 17 goals in this fixture, with 16 of those strikes coming in a Bayern shirt
Raphaël Guerreiro has scored three goals in his last two matches since the return of the Bundesliga
Lucien Favre has not lost a home match as a manager against Bayern since January 2014 with Borussia Monchengladbach
Conclusion
This match really is set up to be spectacular. Both sides have excellent attacking options which will be keen to plunder plenty of goals. A win is hugely important in this fixture so that could produce a high-octane affair. Dortmund have been excellent at home, whilst Bayern have been hugely impressive at home. However, considering the troubles that Hansi Flick and his team have in midfield, the hosts might just have enough to edge this one.
Prediction: Both Teams to Score and Dortmund to Win
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