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Bayern vs Dortmund: Are Surging Munich a Smart Bet?

Don Aguero

by Don Aguero in Soccer News

Updated Jan 17, 2018 · 9:38 AM PST

Photo credit: Sam Wang (Flickr) CC License

Dortmund (+250) vs Bayern Munich (+115), Draw (+300)

These are trying times for Borussia Dortmund (6-2-2, 20 points). They’re winless in their last three league games, their Champions League campaign is already over, and Mario Götze has yet to reclaim his form after a seven-month lay-off. It’s definitely not a great time for them to face Bayern Munich (7-2-1, 23 points), who are currently firing on all cylinders and ready to sweep Der Klassiker (Saturday, November 4th).

Since Carlo Ancelotti’s sacking following a 3-0 thrashing against PSG, Bayern have won all six of their matches across all competitions under new manager Jupp Heynckes. They re-claimed top spot in the Bundesliga from Dortmund and are headed for their sixth consecutive title.

They’re three points clear of the league, recently ousted RB Leipzig in the German Cup last week, and have already guaranteed their spot in the Champions League Round of 16. After a patchy start to the season, it’s rosy times once again for the German champions.

Robert Lewandowski is in spectacular form at the moment and has already netted ten league goals, almost half of all Bayern’s goals so far. The star striker hobbled off the field after last week’s clash against RB Leipzig, but he is expected to start Saturday’s Klassiker.

Dortmund had a strong start to the season, winning six of their opening seven games (and drawing the other). But they went onto surrender the five-point lead they built up over the league and allowed Bayern to claim pole position over the span of a few weeks. The team has only managed a single victory in its last six games.

Like Bayern, the goalscoring duties for Dortmund have fallen on a single player: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored ten league goals this season, which also accounts for almost half his team’s total. However, unlike Bayern, when their star striker is isolated, their attack completely falls apart. And when Aubameyang under-performs, there’s no one left to pick up the slack.

The energy and pressure of Der Klassiker could be just what BVB need to break free from their slump, and the atmosphere at Westfalenstadion is like none other on derby days. But it doesn’t make sense to pick against Bayern when they’re at their best. They’ve turned a new page under Jupp Heynckes and their unbeaten streak will continue.

Pick: Bayern Munich (+115)

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