Borussia Dortmund's title credentials will be tested when they travel to face Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena on Saturday in the Bundesliga's first Der Klassiker clash of the season.

Bayern are first and Dortmund are second, with both teams locked on 17 points after seven matchweeks, but there are fears that a home victory could lead to another uncompetitive race for first place.

Match preview

Perhaps the biggest news for Bayern this week was that boss Vincent Kompany has been discharged from hospital after he collapsed at training on October 23.

There is no suggestion yet that he will be on the sidelines on Saturday, but news that he is recovering will be a significant boost to the squad ahead of their second clash with Dortmund in 2026-27.

The Bavarians emerged as 2-1 victors against the visitors in the Supercup on August 22, and they are unbeaten in their last five encounters with BVB, winning each of their past three meetings.

It would be wrong to suggest that Bayern have been vulnerable of late, but after drawing three times in their six most recent fixtures, the hosts have been far from their relentless best.

However, they still managed to score 22 goals in those five games, including six when they beat Magdeburg 6-1 on Wednesday in the DFB-Pokal.

That victory against Magdeburg was their sixth match at home this season, and it was their fifth triumph at Allianz Arena, with their only stalemate a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Champions League on October 21.

Losing against Bayern in any season, especially at Allianz Arena, would not ordinarily be seen as a poor result, but Dortmund cannot afford to drop three points.

BVB have not won the Bundesliga title since Jurgen Klopp was in charge in 2011-12, though they have failed to capitalise on weaknesses from the Bavarians on multiple occasions.

Niko Kovac's side watched Bayern draw with Augsburg earlier this month, yet his team have drawn twice in October and squandered the chance to be four points ahead of their rivals, so suffering a defeat on Saturday would be an incredibly demoralising result.

The visitors have won each of their three most recent games, winning by an aggregate score of 6-3, with their latest result a 3-2 success against Werder Bremen on Tuesday in the DFB-Pokal.

Dortmund's record on the road has been positive, as while they have only experienced one win in their past three away matches, they have won two and drawn one of their three away Bundesliga outings.

Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:

Bayern Munich form (all competitions):

Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga form:

Borussia Dortmund form (all competitions):

Team News

After winning the Ballon d'Or, there is no better game for Harry Kane to return to the starting lineup in than De Klassiker.

Unfortunately, the striker will not be supported by winger Luis Diaz, who could be out until late November due to a hamstring injury.

Michael Olise will be on hand to supply the Englishman with chances inside the box, while the creative passing of midfielder Joshua Kimmich may be key.

As for Dortmund, centre-forward Serhou Guirassy will have to be at his best to threaten Bayern's defence, though the absences of attackers Konstantinos Karetsas and Giannis Konstantelias means he will have to shoulder most of his team's burden in the final third.

Jobe Bellingham has registered two assists in his last two games, but if he starts on Saturday, his performance will be judged on how well he shields defenders Joane Gadou, Waldemar Antonand Nico Schlotterbeck.

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:

Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Brown; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Karl, Gnabry; Kane

Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:

Kobel; Gadou, Anton, Schlotterbeck; Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Sabitzer, Beier; Guirassy

We say: Bayern Munich 3-2 Borussia Dortmund

Der Klassiker matches are always full of drama, and there is no reason to expect a dull afternoon of football on Saturday.

Bayern should be seen as favourites, especially as their recent record against Dortmund has been excellent, but BVB will no doubt prove to be challenging opponents at Allianz Arena.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.