Der Klassiker: Time To Prove Dortmund’s Bundesliga Credentials!

Der Klassiker: Time To Prove Dortmund’s Bundesliga Credentials!

Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich

Der Klassiker has always been the biggest draw in the Bundesliga, and that should be the case again this year as the two arch-rivals add another chapter to their long and storied rivalry.

It’s slightly different this time, however. While the past few years had Bayern Munich at the spotlight—with the Bavarians using the match as a way to cement their dominance in the league—it’s Dortmund at the forefront today.

BVB are currently leading the German top flight, and this is perhaps the most important fixture for them yet as they aim to show the world that there’s a new king in town.

Talking Points

BVB: The Ultimate Attack

Saying that Dortmund are on fire would be an understatement. They have been on an absolute tear offensively, and it’s just scary to think what they can do (read as: how many they can score) when they are clicking on all fronts.

They have already scored 30 goals in 10 league matches played, and that easily translates to a staggering three goals per fixture!

Notably, they hit seven goals against new boys Nuremberg last September. They followed that performance with a run of three-straight matches with four goals made, against Bayer Leverkusen, Augsburg and Stuttgart.

Paco Alcacer (seven goals) and Marco Reus (six goals and three assists) lead the team in scoring, and they will be tasked again to lead the frontline against the reigning champions. However, as Axel Witsel noted, they are not the only ones to watch out.

“Our young players are able to bring some madness into our game, and this madness can create amazing things on the pitch,” Witsel told Bundesliga.com as he describes the team’s youthful attack.

Bayern Hot, Dortmund…Not?

Make no mistake, Dortmund are brimming with confidence in the domestic league. Nonetheless, their first defeat of the season—at the hands of Atletico Madrid in the Champions League—couldn’t be timed any worse.

That result meant that BVB have just two wins in their last four outings in all competitions, with one ending in a draw (2-2 against Hertha Berlin). Moreover, it should also be noted that they needed extra time to fend off Union Berlin in their DFB-Pokal match-up earlier this month.

While some would say that their defeat to Atletico is just because they are gearing up for this derby with Bayern, it still sends the wrong message.

Moreover, for Bayern Munich, they will see it as a sign of vulnerability. After all, it should be remembered that Dortmund’s 2017-18 Bundesliga campaign went downward spiral after they suffered their first league loss last year.

On the other hand, the Bavarians have already turned their season around and are now eyeing for the top spot. They are currently third, taking seven points out of a possible nine in their last three league games.

Also, they haven’t lost an away game in four road matches now, the latest a 1-2 Cup win at Bremer Brucke against SV Rodinghausen.

Here Comes Lewy!

Dortmund may have the edge offensively, but Bayern will be confident they can hold their ground on that end. Besides, Robert Lewandowski is finding his stride for Bayern just in time for this highly anticipated encounter.

Lewy have only scored five goals in the Bundesliga, but he recently scored a brace in their Champions League match against AEK Athens—seemingly sending a message to BVB that he’s coming for his former club.

Interestingly, Lewandowski notched five goals and an assist in four Der Klassiker matches last year. Moreover, he has three goals in seven appearances for Bayern against Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park.

First Klassiker, Big Pressure for Favre and Kovac

While the talk is all about the players and their current forms, the managerial battle is also worth taking a look.

Both Lucien Favre and Niko Kovac will be coaching in their first Der Klassiker, so the pressure to deliver is certainly high on the two managers.

Favre has brought a well-calibrated offence and defence to Dortmund, and that will be tested against Bayern Munich.

The 61-year-old coach has also made great signings over the summer, bringing in Witsel and Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi, as well as a defensive rising talent in Frenchman Abdou Diallo.

Teenage sensation Jadon Sancho has quickly bloomed under him too, becoming a significant contributor for the team with five goals and a team-high seven assists in all competitions.

It remains to be seen if Dortmund and the players can play like they usually do against Bayern, but if there’s any game that will prove that Favre made the right moves, it is this one.

On the other hand, Kovac hasn’t had the ideal start to his managerial career at Bayern. There were even rumours that he would get sacked after the team went on a three-game winless run and dropped all the way down to sixth.

The Croatian boss could really use a win in this all-important fight to ease some pressure on him. Also, victory here will see them cut Dortmund’s lead to just one!

History

Recent history is on Bayern’s side. As mentioned, they met four times last year, with the Bavarians winning all matches.

Remarkably, Bayern beat them 6-0 in their last meeting. Lewandowski scored a hat-trick in their battle last March, grabbing the Bundesliga 2018 news headlines and highlights in the process.

Dortmund did play out a draw in the Super Cup, but they eventually lost in the shootout to start what could be described as a one-sided rivalry.

BVB did beat Dortmund in 2017 though, a 2-3 win at the Allianz Arena for a Cup match. However, the last time Dortmund took down Bayern in the Bundesliga was in 2016.

Betting Tip

1X2 Draw @ 3.60

The Bundesliga 2018 odds at SBOBET are pretty tight between the two. Despite Dortmund’s form, Bayern Munich are still given a slight advantage.

The Bavarians have the experience and championship mentality—having won the title in the past six years—and that surely counts for something. They just know how to play on the big stage.

Dortmund will be hungry for victory though, and they have shown enough to make fans believe they can finally end the reign of the defending champions.

With that said, I predict this one to be a close encounter with less than three goals. I am not counting out a Dortmund win, but I really see a draw here. Maybe a 1-1 stalemate isn’t a bad bet to make too!

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

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