Even although either side are within the shadow of Xabi Alonso‘s unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen, there may be nonetheless loads to play for in Saturday’s Bayern Munich-Borussia Dortmund conflict. With a 10-point lead with eight video games to play, Leverkusen are on the right track for a maiden Bundesliga crown. Second-placed Bayern could possibly be as many as 13 factors behind at kick-off, ought to Leverkusen win at dwelling towards Hoffenheim earlier on Saturday. A Leverkusen title would mark the primary time since 2009, and simply the fifth time up to now three many years, that neither Bayern nor Dortmund has completed atop the desk.

Saturday’s match between the standard powers stays essential for either side.

Bayern danger a primary loss at dwelling to their greatest home rivals since 2014.

They can even wish to sustain their momentum forward of a go to to Arsenal within the Champions League quarter finals in early April, the final piece of silverware the trophy-hungry membership can fairly count on this season.

While pleasure could also be at stake for Bayern, fourth-placed Dortmund are in peril of lacking the Champions League subsequent season, with RB Leipzig one level behind.

For a membership which depends closely on Champions League revenue, lacking out on the highest 4 may have large ramifications for Dortmund.

Former Bayern captain Philipp Lahm mentioned fireworks had been assured on Saturday.

“A rivalry has risen between Dortmund and Bayern. It’s the Bundesliga, it’s the match of the round on Saturday,” Lahm advised AFP.

“A lot is at stake, especially for Dortmund, because the Champions League is the minimal goal they want to achieve.”

Lahm welcomed Leverkusen’s problem, saying “it’s very, very important that the Bundesliga is exciting again and that someone can push or even take over Bayern.”

In a stellar 659-game profession, Lahm confronted Dortmund greater than some other opponent. He captained Bayern to a 2-1 win over their rivals within the 2013 Champions League last.

Since that match, Bayern have received 23 of 32 video games between the golf equipment.

Bayern legend Lothar Matthaeus advised AFP that he backed his former aspect to proceed their current dominance.

“The title race is over for Bayern Munich. This game is more important for Borussia Dortmund, but Bayern’s DNA is to win each and every game — and they’ll do it again.”

One to observe: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

Having shaken off an ankle harm which stored him out of England’s March friendlies, Harry Kane is match and able to tackle Dortmund.

In his first ‘Klassiker’ look in November, Kane scored a hat-trick to demolish the house aspect.

Kane has 31 targets in 26 league video games this season.

Dortmund supervisor Edin Terzic praised the striker on Thursday, telling reporters “Harry Kane has an outstanding tally in his first Bayern season.

“He’s extraordinarily essential for them in assault as we noticed first hand. He has scored as many targets as our prime three goalscorers put collectively.”

Key stats

70 – Bayer Leverkusen have 70 points with eight games remaining. Last year, Bayern and Dortmund finished on 71 after 34 games, with the Bavarians winning the title on goal difference.

56 – Third-placed Stuttgart have 56 points after 26 games. In 2006-07, Stuttgart won the title with 70 points after 34 games.

13 – Struggling Darmstadt have just 13 points this season, just three more than 10, the worst mark of all time set in 1965-66 by one-season wonders Tasmania Berlin.

Fixtures (1430 GMT unless stated)

Saturday

Borussia Moenchengladbach v Freiburg, Eintracht Frankfurt v Union Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen v Hoffenheim, Werder Bremen v Wolfsburg, RB Leipzig v Mainz, Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund (1730)

Sunday

Augsburg v Cologne, Stuttgart v Heidenheim (1630), Bochum v Darmstadt (1830)

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