Bayern Munich to continue recent dominance over BVB
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Bayern Munich are 18 points ahead of Borussia Dortmund in the race for the Bundesliga title, and Jupp Heynckes' team is set to roll over their rivals in the weekend's big fixture. No German match is as big as Der Klassiker and the matches between Bayern and Dortmund never disappoint.
Bayern have won the last three meetings between the two clubs in all competitions. However, only one of those fixtures came in the Bundesliga. That win was in November as Bayern defeated their rivals 3-1.
Despite Bayern being the best team in the Bundesliga and 17 points ahead of second-place Schalke, the team is coming off of its third loss of the season. Bayern were defeated by RB Leipzig ahead of the international break, 2-1. Before Bayern's loss to Leipzig, Heynckes' team had gone 13 games undefeated in the league, and 12 of those fixtures ended in Bayern wins.
Bayern's defence has been near perfect this term as the team has allowed just 20 goals. Bayern have the league's best goal difference at +46 and striker Robert Lewandowski has tallied 23 of the team's 66 goals.
Borussia Dortmund go into the fixture undefeated in their last 12 Bundesliga matches. The black and yellow are fighting for Champions League qualification, as the side is out of both the DFB Pokal and Europa League competitions.
Dortmund sit second in many of the Bundesliga's stats departments. The team is second in possession per game (58%), pass accuracy (82.8%) and goals scored (54). Despite being a well put together club, Dortmund have been inconsistent throughout the season. The team's defence has been suspect this term, giving up 33 goals. It is a figure that puts the team behind the likes of Werder Bremen and Hertha Berlin in conceded goals, and those are two clubs in the lower half of the table.
Bayern have the luxury of playing their rivals at home. Heynckes' team have not lost at the Allianz Arena in the Bundesliga. The team has racked up 40 goals and conceded just 9 times. The good news for Dortmund is the team has won six out of 13 times on the road this season, and only two of those 13 have ended in defeat. Dortmund's defence has given up 14 goals while scoring 22 on their travels.
If Dortmund hope to win, the team will need its stars to step up. Andre Schurrle, for so long considered a top player with potential to improve, has had a very poor season for Dortmund. The forward has registered just one goal and four assists in 13 matches. Mario Gotze has just two goals and two assists from 18 matches. Dortmund need their stars to play like stars and not misfiring, out of form players.
Bayern go into the fixture as the better side overall. Lewandowski could get his 24 goal of the season as Bayern chalk up another win against their eternal enemies.
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