Preview: Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund; BVB look to salvage season

DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Michy Batshuayi of Dortmund celebrates after scoring his team`s first goal with Mario Goetze of Dortmund, Andre Schuerrle of Dortmund, Mahmoud Dahoud of Dortmund and Marcel Schmelzer of Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Hannover 96 at Signal Iduna Park on March 18, 2018 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Michy Batshuayi of Dortmund celebrates after scoring his team`s first goal with Mario Goetze of Dortmund, Andre Schuerrle of Dortmund, Mahmoud Dahoud of Dortmund and Marcel Schmelzer of Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Hannover 96 at Signal Iduna Park on March 18, 2018 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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Borussia Dortmund take on Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this weekend as they aim to salvage their stuttering season.

While the game does not have much significance, both teams will be looking to emerge victorious in Der Klassiker. Borussia Dortmund still have a lot to play for, with fourth place still not secured. And they will be hoping to issue a statement of intent against the champions-elect Bayern Munich.

Match Information

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Date: March 31st, 2018

Time: 4:30pm(GMT)/5:30pm(local time)

Form Guide

Borussia Dortmund
Last 5 matches: DLWDW

Last match: Borussia Dortmund 1 Hannover 96 0

Analysis: Borussia Dortmund secured a narrow 1-0 win over Hannover two weeks ago with Michy Batshuayi scoring the lone goal. Dortmund played some of their best football under Peter Stoger at times. But once again in the second half they allowed Hannover to dominate. But they defended resolutely, and got the clean sheet. Dortmund have had a fairly relaxed international break, with not too many players involved in the last 14 days.

More from BVB Buzz

Bayern Munich
Last 5 matches: DWWWL

Last match: Bayern Munich 1 RB Leipzig 2

Analysis: Bayern suffered a rare defeat at the hands of last season’s high fliers last weekend. In a closing fought fixture, the league leaders controlled most of the possession but Leipzig managed to have more shots in the game. Sandro Wagner opened the scoring for the away side in the 12th minute. Liverpool-bound, Naby Keita latched on a rebound to draw RB Leipzig level before half-time. The Guinean then provided an assist to Timo Werner in the 56th minute to provide the winning goal for RB Leipzig.

Opposition star man – Robert Lewandowski 

LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Muenchen at Red Bull Arena. (Photo by Lukasz Laskowski/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Muenchen at Red Bull Arena. (Photo by Lukasz Laskowski/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images) /

The former Dortmund man is in top form once again, and is set to cause a lot of problems to the black and yellows. Lewandowski loves scoring against Dortmund, and with Omer Toprak out, it could prove to be a long night for Sokratis and co, if the Pole is on his game.

Last Match – Borussia Dortmund 1 Bayern Munich 2

The two sides met in the DFB Pokal in Decemeber, which now feels like ages ago. Bayern got off to a stunning start and took a two goal lead in the first half. Jerome Boateng opened the scoring for the Bavarians in the 12th minute, before Thomas Muller doubled their advantage before half time.

MUNICH, GERMANY – DECEMBER 20: Mahmoud Dahoud (19) of Dortmund in action against Corentin Tolisso (24) of Bayern Munich during the German Cup (DFB Pokal) December 20, 2017. (Photo by Christian Kolbert/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – DECEMBER 20: Mahmoud Dahoud (19) of Dortmund in action against Corentin Tolisso (24) of Bayern Munich during the German Cup (DFB Pokal) December 20, 2017. (Photo by Christian Kolbert/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

Dortmund got better as the game went on and Andriy Yarmolenko halved the deficit in the 77th minute. But the second goal never arrived, and Borussia Dortmund were knocked out of the DFB Pokal.

Possible lineups

Borussia Dortmund: Bürki, Piszczek, Akanji, Sokratis, Schmelzer, Dahoud, Weigl, Castro, Pulisic, Batshuayi, Schürrle

Bayern Munich: Ulreich, Kimmich, Hummels, Süle, Alaba, Martinez, Thiago, Müller, James Rodriguez, Ribery, Lewandowski

Related Story: Talking points ahead of Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern

Final Prediction – Borussia Dortmund 1 Bayern Munich 2