Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich | Saturday 4 November | Signal Iduna Park | 20:30
Ecstasy and misery for Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in a Der Klassiker campaign like no other. When both German giants meet on Matchday 10, the memories of their respective title run-in last season will not be far from largely refocused minds. If Dortmund and Bayern produce similar scenes at the Signal Iduna Park on November 4, we’re in for an unforgettable match-up.
To Win
Borussia Dortmund 3/1
Draw 33/1
Bayern Munich 7/10
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund had lost the previous seven successive top-flight games in this fixture and so when Julian Nagelsmann’s Bayern took a 2-0 lead through long-range goals from Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sané, the game appeared done. Not so. Substitute Anthony Modeste teed up Youssoufa Moukoko, who finished to become the Black-and-Yellow’s youngest-ever Klassiker goal scorer. Kingsley Coman was then sent off for a second bookable offence as the game ticked into injury time. Followed by Dortmund’s desperate, last-second hail Mary gamble came off, with Modeste nodding in at the far post to rescue a draw.
For the Black and Yellow newbies Niclas Füllkrug is set to both make his Der Klassiker debut and mark his names in one of the greater challenges of overcoming Bayern. Füllkrug has netted just one goal in his eight appearances across all comps for Dortmund, but he’s presence among opposition center backs is a threatening.
Emre Can will be absent for this encounter, but Salih Özcan, who deputized admirably for Can not only in that European victory against Newcastle, but also in his team’s subsequent 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 9.
The draw was a set back in closing the gap on Leverkusen, but a win here for Dortmund would spur on a good run of form in the games to come.
Bayern Munich
Last April it was BVB who led the Bundesliga standings as Bayern showcased new coach Thomas Tuchel ahead of what would turn out to be a largely one-sided contest. Kingsley Coman made it 4-0 shortly after halftime before Emre Can (from the penalty spot) and Donyell Malen produced a couple of late consolations for the away side, who were leapfrogged by their victorious opponents in the table as a result.
All eyes will be on superstar Kane – as they have been since his summer arrival from Tottenham Hotspur – when he lines up against Dortmund for the very first time in Bayern colours. During his Spurs stay, he found the back of the net on four occasions versus Die Schwarzgelben, and he will be eager to make his mark once more in Signal Iduna Park. Despite the expectations placed on his shoulders, the England captain has lived up to the hype, scoring 14 times in his first 13 games for Die Roten in all competitions.
Kane’s blistering start in Bayern colours has helped the defending champions put together a 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions, since the Super Cup loss to RB Leipzig on his debut for the club.
Victory against the nine men of Darmstadt lifted Thomas Tuchel’s charges into first place in the Bundesliga, for 24 hours at least. They face fourth tier Saarbrücken in the DFB Cup second round on Wednesday, before travelling to Dortmund for Der Klassiker on Bundesliga Matchday 10.
Prediction: Bayern Munich win (7/10)
Both sides have a wealth of experience in Marco Reus and Thomas Muller, plus youthful energy in Julian Brandt and Jamal Musiala, coupled by seasoned striker in Füllkrug and Kane, and this encounter could sway heavily on big game players.
Kane will be the deciding factor for me, and the England captain taking his tally to 12 goals across his first nine Bundesliga appearances is enough to sway my bet in favor of the away side. No player has ever scored as often in so few games in the history of German top-flight football.
Written by Joshua Gaillard @JoshuaGaillard