01 December 2021, 16:41 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Saturday’s Der Klassiker top-of-the-table clash between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, kicks off at 18:30 (GMT+1) on December 4, at Signal Iduna Park. This highly anticipated fixture signals the arrival of Bundesliga Matchday 14, which comes after 117 matches and 357 goals. Ballon d’Or runner up and Best Striker of the Year (2021), Robert Lewandowski remains the Bundesliga top scorer with 14 goals, while Thomas Müller is the King of Assists, having bagged a haul of 10 to his name. Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann and Wolfsburg’s Koen Casteels have the most clean sheets, with five apiece. Bayern is at the top of the table, holding a narrow one-point lead over second-placed Dortmund, while Greuther Fürth remains rooted at the bottom of the table.
Preview Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga, Dec 4, 2021
Preview After being sidelined for weeks, Erling Haaland (80’) marked his return with a spectacular goal in Dortmund’s 3-1 win over VfL Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena on Saturday. Before the left-footed flying finish, Weghorst (2') had bagged the opener for the Wolves in the 2nd minute. But a penalty from Emre Can (35' P.) restored parity, before Donyell Malen (55') handed Dortmund the lead minutes into the second half. Haaland had made his way back as a sub in the 73rd minute before the stunner, his 10th of the season, seven minutes later, leaving Dortmund with back-to-back victories: WWLWW. The Black and Yellows have 30 points after 10W, 0D, & 3L, and a win on Saturday will see Dortmund topple Bayern at the top of the table. Marco Rose would relish such a scenario, having trailed the 30-time Bundesliga champions for several weeks. With a clear understanding of how attacking-minded Wolfsburg had become under their new boss, Florian Kohfeldt, Marco Rose laid out a well-balanced 4—2—3—1 formation, knowing it would come down to the numbers in the final third. Rose is expected to stick with the same formation, but outscoring Bayern Munich, who have an average of 3.23 goals every 90 minutes this season, is left for discussion after Saturday's clash. USA international Gio Reyna returned to training on Tuesday after a lengthy spell on the sidelines but remains a far possibility for a cameo. In addition, Jude Bellingham remains doubtful for this fixture against the Reds.
Preview FC Bayern München Bundesliga, Dec 4, 2021
Preview Bayern Munich picked up a 1-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld last weekend on home soil. A fantastic effort from Leroy Sane (71') separated both sides at full-time. Bayern has 31 points from 10W, 1D, and 2L, having returned to winning ways, WWWLW, after the defeat to Augsburg on Matchday 12. Robert Lewandowski will be at the top of Julian Nagelsmann’s 4—2—3—1 formation once again. Despite an incredible record, spanning over the last 18 months, the Pole lost to PSG’s Lionel Messi, who claimed his 7th Golden Ball at the Ballon d’Or award ceremony on Monday night. Marcel Sabitzer recently picked up a calf injury and remains doubtful for this fixture along with Choupo-Moting, and Joshua Kimmich who both tested positive for coronavirus.