Bundesliga: Dortmund’s Chance to Keep the Title Race Alive

Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich

Der Klassiker is one of the world’s truly iconic fixtures, an almighty battle between Germany’s two most powerful teams and this time, on Saturday, the outcome could even define the season.

Eight points separate Bundesliga leaders Bayern from second placed BVB, with 11 games to play, and if Vincent Kompany can mastermind a win for the Bavarians they will take some stopping. But Dortmund have lost just once this season and they fought back from a two goal deficit to draw 2-2 away to Red Bull Leipzig last week; meanwhile Bayern Munich kept up their winning form with a 3-2 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.   

While Bayern, already qualified for the Round of 16, had a week off, Niko Kovac’s Dortmund were in Champions League action on Wednesday in Atalanta, where they lost a two goal aggregate lead to crash out of the competition 4-3.  

Kovac’s team need to shrug that defeat off and return to form at the weekend; they have been outstanding in the league, and will be desperate to give their fans a response.

 

Talking Points

BVB will never say ‘die’

They may be trailing the leaders by eight points, but Dortmund’s Bundesliga 2026 results have been so good that only three clubs in Bundesliga history have been second at this stage of the season with more points than Kovac’s men currently have. In fact, going back to late last season, Die Schwarzgelben have lost just once in 31 top flight matches and last week, when Dortmund met top four rivals Red Bull Leipzig, they showed plenty of mettle, clawing back from 2-0 down to grab a point as Fabio Silva scored a 95^th minute leveller; and only a brilliant save from the Red Bulls stopper denied Julian Brandt a dramatic 98^th minute winner. 

This is a team which never lies down and that’s what makes Dortmund such a formidable opponent and, while Kovac has plenty of flair within his group, it is a strong backbone which makes them a force, particularly at home. With a centre back pairing of Waldemar Anton and Nico Schlotterbeck, when fit, they are hard to break down and have the experienced Gregor Kobel as the last line of defence. A midfield of Jude Bellingham, Marcel Sabitzer and Felix Nmecha has attacking intent and defensive steel, while powerful centre forward Serhou Guirassy has scored six goals in his last five games.

BVB’s big players will all need to be at their best to get the better of their visitors on Saturday, and they’ll certainly get the help of the legendary Yellow Wall.  

 

Bayern’s power is hard to withstand  

From the very start of the campaign the Bundesliga 2026 betting odds have backed Kompany’s Bayern and why not? The Bavarians have the biggest resources and the best players and they have dominated German football for years, with the odd interruption from either Borussia Dortmund or Bayer Leverkusen.

The league leaders are spearheaded by the remarkable Harry Kane. Now 32 years of age, the England captain and legend shows no sign of slowing down, scoring twice in Bayern’s 3-2 win over Eintracht last week. In December Kane reached the milestone of 100 Bundesliga goal contributions, 81 goals and 19 assists, an incredible tally midway through his third season in Germany.

With Luis Diaz , Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala all buzzing around this attacking unit is terrifying, but Kompany’s team doesn’t simply rely on its players’ brilliance. Die Bayern have the most possession in the league, averaging 62 per cent per match and they have run further than any other team, covering over 120km per match. 

But the reigning champions do have an Achilles heel. They have only kept one clean sheet in 2026 and that is the chink that Dortmund will be hoping to highlight.   

 

History

Bayern have bossed the head to heads with Dortmund, with 33 wins to 16 and 14 draws from the last 63 meetings. The tallies are closer at the Signal Iduna Park, with BVB winning ten, Bayern 12 and there have been eight draws.

The corresponding match last season ended in a 1-1 draw, while Bayern won 2-1 when the two teams met in Munich in October, as Kane scored the 400^th club goal of his career.  

With five wins and one draw from their last six games, away to Hamburg, the Bavarians have been relentless throughout the campaign but then so have Dortmund, who have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six, a Champions League tie away to Inter Milan.   

 

Betting Tip

With BVB at SBOTOP odds of 4.15 to win or 4.50 to Draw, the markets have confidence in the Bavarians, with Bayern odds on at 1.65 to win. But I’m not so sure; and it will take some effort to keep the raucous Yellow Wall quiet.   

   

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, X and Instagram.