The high-octane battle between German giants Bayern Munich and Dortmund is analogous to the ‘El Clasico’ in Spanish football.
The two teams are currently placed on top of the points table with 15 points in 6 games. Only Bayern’s superior goal difference makes them stand tall at top of the group.
The ‘Der Klassiker’, this time, however, will be staged in front of empty stands, which takes away the soul out of the fixture.
That said, there’s no shortage of intensity whenever the two sides meet on the football turf. All eyes will be on the two marksmen from either side, namely, Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland.
The two have been in prime goal-scoring form off-late. The Polish number nine has scored 10 goals in the last five games in the Bundesliga, while the Norwegian poacher has smashed five inside the net.
After receiving a well-earned rest, the two strikers scored their respective braces in the Champions League this week.
The defending champions will be wary of the threat possessed by Haland, who became the only player to score 14 goals in the first 11 games.
Coming to team form, Dortmund has had only one loss in their last five league games, while the European Champions have remained unbeaten in their last five games of the league.
RB Salzburg was handed a massive 6-2 loss by Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Whereas, Dortmund trumped past Club Brugge with a 0-3 win on Thursday.
Coming to team news, Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick has to look at Lucas reserves to fill in for Alphonso Davies at the left-back position. The ‘roadrunner’ is currently recuperating with an ankle injury. Centre-back Niklas Sule will remain out of action after being diagnosed positive for COVID-19.
At the Dortmund camp, coach Lucien Favre will be sweating over the thigh injury to Matt Hummels, in the absence of Dan Zagadou and Marcel Schmelzer. It will be interesting to see who Favien slots in the CB position in between Axel Witsel and Thomas Delaney.
Here are the predicted XI of the two sides:
Roman Burki (GK), Raphael Guerreiro, Manuel Akanji, Mats Hummels, Thomas Meunier, Thomas Delaney, Axel Witsel, Giovanni Reyna, Marco Reus, Jadon Sancho, Erling Braut Haaland
Manuel Neuer (GK)(C), Lucas Hernandez, Jerome Boateng, David Alaba, Benjamin Pavard, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Leroy Sane, Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry, Robert Lewandowski.
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