Borussia Dortmund's Gregor Kobel and Donyell Malen set to miss Bayern Munich clash

Borussia Dortmund has been dealt a double blow in terms of perssonel ahead their all important encounter against Bayern Munich this weekend in the Bundesliga. Both Swiss shot stopper Gregor Kobel and Dutch attacker Donyell Malen will be absent from this iteration of "Der Klassiker".

Both Kobel and Malen will be big misses for Dortmund, as Kobel has been one of Dortmund's most critical and consistent players all season, while Malen has been their most dangerous attacker since the start of the second half of the season. For Kobel, the reason for absence has to do with illness, which is unfortunate as he had just recovered from the injury issues he'd been dealing with for a few weeks now.

On Malen's part, the Dutchman will be out due to a thigh injury he suffered while on international duty with the Netherlands this week. This absence is not only concerning from the standpoint of this game, but in terms of Malen retaining his hot run of form. Malen has been known to go through patches where he is simply unplayable, but they've often come about after consistent time on the pitch. A layoff could threaten to break that run of form, which going into the game's Dortmund has coming up could be quite detrimental.

In terms of Bayern, the Bavarian side will be without winter signing Sacha Boey, youngster Aleksandar Pavlović, and most importantly Manuel Neuer. Harry Kane has recovered from his bout with injury and will likely be in the squad for his side, which poses a very serious threat to Alexander Meyer's goal and Dortmund's defense.

The importance of this game against Bayern won't be in the context of the title race, but making sure Dortmund can maintain their place in the top four in the Bundesliga. A win would give them vital points to hold onto their spot as they go into a stretch where they will also have to face the likes of Stuttgart, Gladbach, Leverkusen and Leipzig.