Bayern Munich will host fierce rivals Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday at Allianz Arena.
The Bavarians are in first place with 68 points following their 3-1 victory against Augsburg on April 4, six points more than second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, while eighth-placed Dortmund beat Freiburg 4-1 on April 5 and have 41 points.
Match preview
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Bayern had to overcome a 1-0 deficit against Augsburg, but they did benefit from the fact their opponents were reduced to 10 men in the 59th minute when the score was 1-1.
The hosts have scored three or more goals in eight of their last 12 games in the league, and their tally of 81 goals in the Bundesliga is at least 18 more than any other team in the top flight.
Boss Vincent Kompany‘s side boast a goal difference of 54, and with just six matchweeks remaining, his team would have to drop points at least three times to surrender their lead in the title race considering Leverkusen only have a goal difference of 29.
Bayern do face a difficult final six games of the season given they have to play fourth-placed Mainz 05, fifth-placed RB Leipzig and sixth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach in three of the four games following Saturday’s match.
The Bavarians have only been defeated in one of their last 14 games in the league – winning 11 times – but they have drawn two and lost one of their past seven top-flight matches.
Kompany’s side did lose 2-1 against Inter Milan on Tuesday in their most recent home fixture, their second loss in three outings at Allianz Arena, though they did triumph in nine of their prior 10 at home.
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While Borussia Dortmund could have conceded more than once against Freiburg given they faced three big chances and 15 shots inside the box, they should be credited for creating numerous opportunities which totalled nearly 3.5 xG.
The visitors have scored seven goals in their last two in the Bundesliga, but they failed to find the back of the net in their previous two in the league.
It should be noted that Niko Kovac‘s side were effectively eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday when they lost 4-0 against Barcelona in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
BVB could still qualify for Europe’s premier competition given they are only five points from Mainz 05, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.
Despite their defeat against Barca, Dortmund have achieved victory in three of their past five in all competitions, as well as in four of their last six in the Bundesliga.
Kovac may be confident that his team can earn at least a point against Bayern considering his players have won five of their eight most recent away outings, as well as the fact they drew 1-1 with the Bavarians in the reverse fixture on November 30.
Team News
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Bayern’s injury problems continue to mount, with defenders Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano and Hiroki Ito having been ruled out, as have goalkeepers Manuel Neuer and Tarek Buchmann.
Expect shot-stopper Jonas Urbig to be shielded by Konrad Laimer, Eric Dier, Kim Min-jae and Josip Stanisic.
Joshua Kimmich is certain to feature in midfield, and he could be joined by Joao Palhinha considering Aleksandar Pavlovic will miss a few more days of action.
With attackers Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman unavailable, striker Harry Kane may start ahead of a supportive cast consisting of Michael Olise, Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry.
Opponents Dortmund only have two fitness concerns, with centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck and midfielder Marcel Sabitzer injured.
Emre Can and Waldemar Anton are likely to be chosen in central defence, while Pascal Gross could partner Carney Chukwuemeka in the middle of the pitch.
In the forward line, perhaps striker Serhou Guirassy will play ahead of Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Urbig; Laimer, Dier, Kim, Stanisic; Kimmich, Palhinha; Olise, Muller, Gnabry; Kane
Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Kobel; Ryerson, Can, Anton, Bensebaini; Gross, Chukwuemeka; Adeyemi, Brandt, Bynoe-Gittens; Guirassy
We say: Bayern Munich 2-2 Borussia Dortmund
Bayern are dealing with numerous injury absentees, and they face a Dortmund side that will want to stop them from winning the title.
BVB have also found goals easier to come by, and it would not be surprising if Saturday’s game was an entertaining clash between two vulnerable sides.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
