Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Bayern Munich host Borussia Dortmund in Matchday 8 of the Bundesliga on Sunday, the fixture that in recent years has become known as "Der Klassiker."
One or the other contestant has claimed each of the last six Bundesliga titles, with Bayern winning in 2010 before BVB emerged as rivals by taking top honors in 2011 and 2012. The Bavarians reasserted their domestic dominance soon thereafter and are now three-time defending champions. And they could take a massive step towards making it a fourth consecutive title on Sunday.
With Bayern already four points clear and playing at home against a BVB side that have been held to draws in each of their last three fixtures in all competitions, there's a very real possibility that the title could be essentially done and dusted by October. Or so suggested Kicker magazine (via ESPN's Stephan Uersfeld on Twitter) in their preview.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Bayern have won every game since their surprise defeat to Wolfsburg in the DFL-Superpokal, a run of over two months. And with Robert Lewandowski and Douglas Costa arguably Europe's best striker and winger, respectively, thus far this season, it's hard to see any side posing a prolonged threat to the titleholders over the course of a 34-game campaign.
Dortmund do have quality in their ranks, though, and should not be underestimated. Star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is just one goal behind Lewandowski's league-leading tally of 10 strikes. Also, Germany internationals Marco Reus, Ilkay Gundogan and Mats Hummels are well-known for their performance in big games.
The Ruhr side have put up stiff resistance to Bayern many times in recent years, and a win would put them right back into title contention, a point off the top spot. A loss, though, and Bayern may have even more reason to celebrate Oktoberfest.
Date: Sunday, October 4
Time: 4:30 p.m. BST / 11:30 a.m. EST / 6:30 p.m. local time
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
TV Info: Fox Soccer 2 (U.S. only), BT Sport Europe (UK only, on time delay, starting 6:30 p.m.)
Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S. only)
Form Guide
| Bayern Munich | Dortmund |
| Dinamo Zagreb: Win | PAOK: Draw |
| Mainz: Win | Darmstadt: Draw |
| Wolfsburg: Win | Hoffenheim: Draw |
| Darmstadt: Win | Leverkusen: Win |
| Olympiakos: Win | Krasnodar: Win |
Predicted Lineups
Bayern Munich
With Javi Martinez having returned to fitness and both Mehdi Benatia and Holger Badstuber sidelined with injuries, the Spaniard may make a return to the starting lineup to face Dortmund. Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Jan Kirchhoff are still undergoing rehabilitation and will miss out on the action, as will Sebastian Rode.
Possible Bayern starting XI: Neuer; Lahm, Martinez, Boateng, Alaba; Gotze, Alonso, Thiago; Muller, Lewandowski, Costa.
Dortmund
BVB manager Thomas Tuchel will have to decide on whether to start youngster Julian Weigl or go with experience in the form of Sven Bender in midfield. There are a few different tactical options for the former Mainz trainer, but he will definitely be without the services of the injured Erik Durm and Nuri Sahin.
Possible Dortmund starting XI: Burki; Ginter, Subotic, Hummels, Park; Bender, Gundogan; Mkhitaryan, Kagawa, Reus; Aubameyang
Players to Watch
Robert Lewandowski and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are the in-form strikers to keep an eye on entering Sunday's clash, the two having combined for a remarkable 19 goals in 13 Bundesliga appearances thus far this season.
In support, Douglas Costa has assisted at least one goal in each of his domestic games this season and will be the man to provide creativity, but Mario Gotze is also worth a closer look as he takes on his former club.
On the Dortmund end, Marco Reus, Ilkay Gundogan and Mats Hummels are a cut above the rest of their teammates and will be the big-game players the visitors will rely upon. However, resurgent Henrikh Mkhitaryan could also have a breakthrough on the grand stage.
Key Battles
Thiago Alcantara vs. Ilkay Gundogan
Two of the Bundesliga's most technically gifted (and injury-prone) central midfielders face off on Sunday as Thiago Alcantara and Bayern take on Ilkay Gundogan and Dortmund. The Spaniard missed most of last season injured but has reasserted himself in recent months, and in August, he was awarded with a contract extension until 2019.
Gundogan missed over a year, and a long transfer saga this spring and summer ended in him also extending his contract with his current club, albeit for only one year. The 24-year-old has been key to Tuchel's revitalization of the Dortmund team and has shown glimpses of his 2012-13 self. He still has a long way to go, though, but a good performance against Bayern would be a big step.
Robert Lewandowski vs. Mats Hummels
Robert Lewandowski has scored 10 goals in his last three games, and accordingly, he is without doubt the most in-form striker in the world. The Poland international has scored in all sorts of ways over the last week or so, and is absolutely the No. 1 threat in attack. He'll even have a bit more motivation as he takes on his former club.
If there is one player in the Bundesliga who can mark Lewandowski out of the game, it's Mats Hummels. The Germany international had some trouble last year but has generally performed to his potential in the current campaign. He's a leader within the Dortmund side and usually puts in a good shift against Bayern, both in defense and as a scorer.
Odds (courtesy of Odds Shark)
Bayern: 20-27
Draw: 143/50
Dortmund: 343/100
