Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich preview: Der Klassiker could prove to be title decider

Dortmund host leaders Bayern Munich on Tuesday night for a fixture which will go along way to deciding the fate of this season's Bundesliga title race.

By Ciaran Wiseman25 May 2020 21:58 BST

MUNICH, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 09: Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund is challenged by Joshua Kimmich of FC Bayern Muenchen during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Arena on November 09, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)

Hansi Flick's title chasing Bayern Munich side can take a massive step towards an eighth consecutive Bundesliga title as they face arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

Hosts Dortmund are currently four points adrift in second place after 27 matches but are just three points ahead of third place RB Leipzig.

Both sides have two wins from two since the Bundesliga returned from its suspension on the 16th of May.

BVB won this fixture last season, coming out 3-2 winners at the Westfalenstadion.

They were humbled in the reverse back in November, however, with Bayern dispatching them 4-0.

Team news

Dan Axel-Zagadou, Nico Schulz and Marco Reus all remain sidelined for Lucien Favre's title chasers.

In addition, ex-Bayern defender Mats Hummels is a doubt after limping off at half time in the 2-0 win over Wolfsburg at the weekend.

As for the visitors, Phillippe Coutinho, Niklas Sule and Corentin Tolisso will all miss out, whilst Thiago will face a late fitness test to prove his availability.

Predicted line-ups

Borussia Dortmund (3-4-2-1) Burki - Piszczek, Hummels, Akanji - Hakimi, Dahoud, Can, Guerreiro - Brandt, Sancho - Haaland

Bayern Munich (4-1-4-1) Neuer - Pavard, Alaba, Boateng, Davies - Kimmich - Coman, Muller, Goretzka, Perisic - Lewandowski

Key clashes

Erling Haaland vs Jerome Boateng

Norwegian wonderkid Erling Haaland may have failed to find the net at the weekend, but the teenager has been a revelation this season having moved to the Black and Yellow in January.

He will be hoping to add to his 41 goals already this season in all competitions against an ageing Jerome Boateng who has regressed gradually since winning the World Cup in 2014.

Jadon Sancho vs Alphonso Davies

English winger Jadon Sancho has been used fleetingly by Favre since football returned in Germany but he put in a fine cameo off the bench at the weekend, assisting the second goal.

On Tuesday night he will come up against Bayern's breakthrough star this season, Canadian Alphonso Davies who has been adjusted from a left winger ton a left back since arriving from Vancouver Whitecaps, with stunning results.

What they have said

Lucien Favre, Borussia Dortmund manager: “Compared to the first leg, we have a different formation that fits our squad better. We also have Emre Can and Erling Haaland, two strong players who’ve increased the quality of our team.”

Hansi Flick, Bayern Munich manager: "BVB have found a lot of defensive stability after changing their formation. I imagine they will start quite defensively. But if they try something else, we'll definitely be ready."