Bayern Munich v Dortmund – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Bayern Munich face Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday evening. Die Roten sits 10 points off the top of the Bundesliga whilst BVB are a further 10 points back in fourth place. Both clubs have Champions League quarter-finals on the horizon.

Bayern Form

Bayern have hit some improved form of late. Their first ten matches of 2024 saw four defeats including 3-0 at Bayer Leverkusen in a title clash and a 1-0 loss to Lazio. A 3-2 defeat at Bochum after that ended their title chances and saw Thomas Tuchel announce his departure in May.

They have since rallied by beating RB Leipzig 2-1 and later thrashing Lazio 3-0 to progress to the last eight of the Champions League. An 8-1 humbling of Mainz saw Harry Kane score a hattrick before going to Darmstadt and winning 5-2 before the FIFA break.

Bayern Team News

Harry Kane missed England duty due to an ankle injury and remains a doubt. Aleksandar Pavlovic had to withdraw from Germany duty but should be available. Manuel Neuer is out, and Raphael Guerreiro is a doubt.

Serge Gnabry is back from injury to boost the wide areas and Kingsley Coman could make his first appearance in a couple of months.

Bayern Motivation

Since the announcement of Tuchel’s departure, the players have focused themselves on ending the season well.

They will play to win this match to keep their very vague title hopes alive. The tie vs Arsenal is 10 days away and won’t be a distraction.

Dortmund Form

Dortmund have had a weird season. Right now, it’s one loss in 15 matches in all competitions. A few too many draws in the Bundesliga means they are 20 points off Bayer Leverkusen. They drew 1-1 at Wolfsburg before a 1-1 away draw vs PSV in the Champions League. A 3-2 home defeat followed to Hoffenheim.

BVB have won their last four matches. They won 2-0 at Union Berlin and 2-1 at Werder Bremen. A 2-0 home win over PSV sealed their path to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Before the FIFA break, they overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 at home with goals in the 81st and 90th minutes.

Dortmund Team News

Marcel Sabitzer is suspended in midfield for this match. Sebastien Haller is nursing a chronic ankle complaint and may only make the bench at best.

Gregor Kobel should be fit to play. Ramy Bensebaini has a knee injury but Ian Maatsen was set to start at left back anyway. Salih Ozcan will probably start in midfield after Edin Terzic used two pure number tens in the last match.

Dortmund Motivation

Dortmund are just a point above fifth spot. They will play for the win here and be content with a point.

They can’t afford a defeat, or it will be an uphill task to finish in the top four.

Key Stats

Bayern Munich won their last 3 matches with 16 goals scored.

Bayern have lost 11 of 49 matches under Thomas Tuchel.

Bayern Munich have conceded in 9 of their last 10 matches.

Dortmund have lost just 1 of their last 15 fixtures.

Dortmund are winless in 10 Bundesliga matches vs Bayern (9 losses, 33 goals conceded)

Verdict

Bayern usually wins this fixture and tends to score a lot of goals vs Dortmund. It may be worth checking the XI to see if Kane is fit before betting. Both sides should score in this one.

Best Bet: Bayern Munich win and Both to Score at 2.25

High-Value Bet: Both Teams to Score in Both Halves at 6.25

Goalscorer Tip: Harry Kane first goalscorer at 3.50

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis