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Bayern Munich – Borussia Dortmund
Everything is set for the classic par excellence. On the 26th matchday in the Bundesliga, FC Bayern and the Black and Yellows from Dortmund will clash. Both will probably settle the championship between themselves this year and we expect, as almost always, a top-class duel. If it weren’t exciting enough from a sporting point of view, Thomas Tuchel will also make his debut as Bayern’s new coach. Find out whether he will win against his old employer in our Bayern – Dortmund tip.
The signs before the clash between these two heavyweights are as follows. Due to the defeat in Leverkusen on the last matchday, the record champion had to relinquish its lead in the standings. Currently, FC Bayern is one point behind Dortmund in second place. Dortmund, on the other hand, were able to put themselves in an excellent starting position with a brilliant 6:1 win over 1. FC Köln. If FC Bayern want to become champions for the eleventh time in a row, they will almost have to win on Saturday.
Bayern – Dortmund info:
– Date & Time: 01.04.2023, 18:30 hrs.
– Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 26
– TV broadcast: Sky
Bayern Form & Balance Check
The club from Säbener Straße knows what is at stake on Saturday. The record champions from Munich have to win to regain the lead in the standings on the one hand and for their own self-image on the other. The last few performances in the Bundesliga were unworthy of FC Bayern, and the game in Leverkusen in particular was a nasty blow for the record champions. Not least the 1:2 defeat at Bayer put Julian Nagelsmann out of a job.
Thomas Tuchel is expected to turn things around at the serial champions. As far as the record against Dortmund is concerned, especially in front of their own fans, there is nothing to say against a successful debut. Bayern have won their last eight home games against the black and yellows from Dortmund. FC Bayern’s record when the ball rolls on Saturday evening at 6:30 pm is also impressive. The Munich team has not lost any of the last 25 “top games” (20 wins and 5 draws).
Tuchel particularly motivated
As fate would have it, Thomas Tuchel will be on the sidelines for the first time as the new Bayern coach against his old club. The entire club from Munich will go into the match highly motivated. At FC Bayern, however, there are one or two question marks with regard to the cracker. Musiala had to leave the national team with an injury, Goretzka was substituted with an injury during the DFB team’s 2:3 loss to Belgium and Choupo-Moting’s deployment is also far from certain.
Regardless of who will be on the pitch against BVB, Tuchel demands maximum commitment. If we take a look at FC Bayern’s home record, then the record champions, together with Union Berlin, are the only team in the league not to have lost a home match.
Bayern facts & analysis
– Only in 2nd place.
– Still without a home defeat
– Last lost 1-2 against Leverkusen
Dortmund form & balance check
The long wait is finally over. After the brilliant 6:1 over 1. FC Köln and the defeat of FC Bayern in Leverkusen, Dortmund are back at the top of the table. In terms of figures, BVB last stood at the top of the table in August 2019, or 124 match days ago. The aim, of course, should be to retain this position after the top match in Munich.
BVB will initially try not to run into the open against Bayern and rather rely on a compact defence. Coach Terzić will also rely on Sébastien Haller again. The man from the Ivory Coast has never lost a game with BVB. For there to be at least a point, the newcomer must also finally start scoring away from home. He scored all three of his goals this season in front of his own fans.
Guerreiro the X factor?
One of the reasons why things are going so well for BVB this year is the explosion of performances from players who were actually already on the black-and-yellow team’s hit list. In recent weeks, there has been a lot of talk about Julian Brandt, but he was absent due to injury. Raphael Guerreiro has come to the fore all the more recently.
The Portuguese has developed into an absolute performer in the new year and with nine goals he is the league’s top scorer. All in all, the whole Dortmund team has improved a lot. Especially in the final third, the qualities really come to the fore. While BVB had the worst finishing efficiency in the league last year (-3.8), no team is currently better than Dortmund (+10.4).
Dortmund facts & analysis
– Top of the Bundesliga table.
– 28 out of a possible 30 points
– Last win with 6:1 against Cologne
Predicted line-up – last update on 30 March 2023
Thomas Tuchel will be hoping for Choupo-Moting, Goretzka and Musiala to make appearances in his first game as Bayern coach until the very end. The latter, in particular, is elementarily important for Bayern with his playing class. The record champions will start in a 3-5-2, the three-man backline of Pavard, Upamecano and De Ligt is well-rehearsed. Müller and Choupo-Moting will probably play up front. Sané, Mané, Gnabry and Cancelo will only remain on the bench.
The opponents from Dortmund should go into the top match without any big surprises. The whole of Dortmund is hoping that Julian Brandt will play. Should the German international be able to play, he will start on the right wing as usual. Guerreiro will play with Can and Bellingham in midfield. Süle and Schlotterbeck form the centre in central defence.
Bayern – Dortmund direct comparison & statistics
Both top teams have faced each other in 132 matches so far and the direct comparison clearly goes to FC Bayern. The Munich side have won 65 matches, Dortmund have had the upper hand in 32 games and there have also been 35 draws. The first leg ended 2:2.
– The average number of goals in the first half in matches between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund is 2.2.
– When Borussia Dortmund leads 0-1 in away matches, they win 77% of the matches.
– Bayern Munich has not lost any of its last 26 home matches
– Bayern Munich have won 4 home matches in a row
