• Written by Michael Knight
• Categories Football, Germany Bundesliga

Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich
Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
Bundesliga
Saturday, 4th November 2017
Kick-off: 6.30pm CET (5.30pm GMT)
Weather Forecast: Partly cloudy, 14° at kick-off

The first Der Klassiker of the Bundesliga season takes place with the two clubs in the pre-eminent positions in the league table. Second place Borussia Dortmund host leaders Bayern Munich with much at stake for both sides. Defeat is not an option for the hosts, with a six-point gap almost insurmountable even at this early stage of the season.

How to Watch Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich Live Stream

Borussia Dortmund News
Dortmund’s poor form continued with the home draw against APOEL in the Champions League. One win in the last six, with two defeats in the last three Bundesliga games, threatens to derail their season.

Scoring goals haven’t been an issue for Dortmund. With 27, they are top scorers in the top flight but all eleven goals against have been conceded in the past five matches; it underlines how much improvement is needed if three vital points are to be taken from this fixture.

Two red cards for central defenders in the past three games hurt an already injury-plagued backline. Is this the game to switch to a three-man defence, relieving Marc Bartra of his obvious discomfort as a makeshift right-back?

The return of Raphael Guerrero adds potency to the attack and relieves the pressure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s barren run of four games without a goal.

Bayern Munich News
Underperforming and out-of-sorts yet top of the Bundesliga. It’s crisis time at Bayern for Jupp Heynckes in his fourth spell in charge of FC Hollywood. He took over on 6th October and it’s six wins out of six, with none conceded in three Bundesliga matches in that time.

This is a big test for Bayern though. Manuel Neuer is out until January and his replacement Sven Ulreich hasn’t been convincing. Fortunately, the league leaders only have to turn up in most games to win, such is the gulf in class between them and the rest of the Bundesliga.

Dortmund is different, motivated. Bayern rely upon Robert Lewandowski less this season, even though he has 8 goals in his last 10 matches. That run included a three-match drought which Bayern won (albeit by penalties in the cup-tie in Leipzig).

The 4-3-3 with James at the head used in midweek is likely to return to the 4-2-3-1 favored in Bundesliga away matches, with Lewandowski leading the line.

Watch St.Dortmund v Bayern Munich live stream at bet365 (18+, T&C Apply)

Head-to-Head

• 05/08/2017 Super Cup Borussia Dortmund 2 – 2 Bayern Munich
• 26/04/2017 German Cup Bayern Munich 2 – 3 Borussia Dortmund
• 08/04/2017 Bundesliga Bayern Munich 4 – 1 Borussia Dortmund
• 19/11/2016 Bundesliga Borussia Dortmund 1 – 0 Bayern Munich
• 14/08/2016 Super Cup Borussia Dortmund 0 – 2 Bayern Munich
• 21/05/2016 German Cup Bayern Munich 0 – 0 Borussia Dortmund

CONCLUSION
It’s a tough match to call. Neither side holds a telling advantage as indifferent Dortmund face an unconvincing Bayern side.Dortmund’s defense is the concern in this fixture. The absence of a specialist right-back is a weakness Bayern are likely to target with Bartra or Toljan enduring a torrid afternoon. Equally, the home side will seek to exploit Neuer’s absence. Expect a high-scoring draw with both Lewandowski and Aubameyang finding the net.