Even though both sides are in the shadow of Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen, there is still plenty to play for in Saturday’s match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. With a ten-point lead and eight games to play, Leverkusen is on course for its first Bundesliga crown. Second-placed Bayern could be as much as 13 points behind at kick-off if Leverkusen beat Hoffenheim at home earlier on Saturday. A Leverkusen title would be the first time since 2009, and only the fifth time in the last thirty years, that neither Bayern nor Dortmund have finished top of the table.
Saturday’s match between the traditional powers remains crucial for both sides.
Bayern risks a first home defeat against its biggest domestic rivals since 2014.
They will also be looking to maintain their momentum ahead of a visit to Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals in early April, the last piece of silverware the trophy-hungry club can reasonably expect to see this season.
While pride is at stake for Bayern, fourth-placed Dortmund are in danger of missing out on the Champions League next season, with RB Leipzig one point behind.
For a club heavily dependent on Champions League revenue, missing out on the top four could have huge consequences for Dortmund.
Former Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said fireworks were guaranteed on Saturday.
“A rivalry has arisen between Dortmund and Bayern. It’s the Bundesliga, it’s the match of the round on Saturday,” Lahm told AFP.
“There is a lot at stake, especially for Dortmund, because the Champions League is the minimum goal they want to achieve.”
Lahm welcomed Leverkusen’s challenge, saying: “It is very important that the Bundesliga becomes exciting again and that someone can push or even take over Bayern.”
In a stellar career spanning 659 games, Lahm faced Dortmund more than any other opponent. He led Bayern to a 2-1 victory over their rivals in the 2013 Champions League final.
Since that match, Bayern have won 23 of the 32 matches between the clubs.
Bayern legend Lothar Matthaeus told AFP he was backing his former side to continue their recent dominance.
“The title race is over for Bayern Munich. This match is more important for Borussia Dortmund, but Bayern’s DNA is to win every match, and they will do that again.”
One to keep an eye on: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
After shaking off an ankle injury that kept him out of England’s March friendlies, Harry Kane is fit and ready to take on Dortmund.
In his first ‘Classic’ appearance in November, Kane scored a hat-trick to demolish the home side.
Kane has scored 31 goals in 26 league games this season.
Dortmund manager Edin Terzic praised the striker on Thursday, telling reporters: “Harry Kane has put in an excellent performance in his first Bayern season.
“He is extremely important to them in attack, as we have seen first-hand. He has scored as many goals as our top three goalscorers combined.”
Key statistics
70 – Bayer Leverkusen has 70 points with eight games to go. Last year, Bayern and Dortmund finished 71 after 34 games, with the Bavarians winning the title on goal difference.
56 – Third-placed Stuttgart has 56 points after 26 games. In 2006–07, Stuttgart won the title with 70 points after 34 games.
13 – Struggling Darmstadt have just 13 points this season, just three more than 10, the all-time worst figure achieved by one-season wonder Tasmania Berlin in 1965-66.
Fixtures (1430 GMT unless otherwise stated)
Saturday
Borussia Mönchengladbach v Freiburg, Eintracht Frankfurt v Union Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen v Hoffenheim, Werder Bremen v Wolfsburg, RB Leipzig v Mainz, Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund (1730)
Sunday
Augsburg against Cologne, Stuttgart against Heidenheim (1630), Bochum against Darmstadt (1830)
(This story has not been edited by WhatsNew2Day staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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