5 reasons Bayern will win Der Klassiker

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1) Unstoppable in the league

Bayern have started this season in imperious form, remaining unbeaten while scoring 36 goals in their opening 11 matches. They've won nine of those, drawing the remaining two. Five of those nine wins have come away from home, with a draw in their other away outing at Eintracht Frankfurt creating an impressive away record that has yielded 16 points and 23 goals.

Their ability to remain so dominant away from the Allianz Arena will hold them in good stead when they visit the Signal Iduna Park, especially given Dortmund’s home form that has seen them go unbeaten at home in 11 games in all competitions.

Watch: Ten years of Klassiker goals

Watch: Jamal Musiala: From initiator to finisher

2) Clinical Kane

Bayern’s place at the top of the scoring chart obviously has plenty to do with Kane. Having topped the individual leaderboard last season, the England captain has continued his sensational goalscoring output this season, netting 14 times in 11 games - including five away from home.

Kane showed in his first Klassiker that he has no issue whatsoever in stepping up to the big occasion - firing a hat-trick in a thumping 4-0 win at the Signal Iduna Park on Matchday 10 last term. In total, Kane has seven goals in six games against Dortmund, having also hit four goals against them during his time at Tottenham.

Watch: All of Kane's Bundesliga goals and assists so far in 2024/25

3) A record that speaks for itself

Not only does Kane have a good record against Dortmund, but so do Bayern - last season’s 2-0 defeat at home to BVB was the Bavarians' first in 13 games against them.

The last 10 meetings between these two have seen Bayern come away with all three points on eight occasions, losing once and drawing once in the remaining games. Over this period, they have scored 29 goals and conceded 14. Four of those eight wins came away from home for Bayern, as did their one draw.

Watch: Der Klassiker - Bring the noise!

4) Sturdy defence

Their ability to find the back of the net is not the only reason Bayern are sitting atop the Bundesliga table right now; they also have the best defensive record in the league, with just seven goals conceded in their first 11 matches.

They have kept 11 clean sheets in 18 competitive fixtures this season and are in fact on a run of seven straight wins without conceding, thanks to their high line and the defensive efforts of Dayot Upamecano, Minjae Kim, Alphonso Davies and Raphaël Guerreiro.

The pace of Davies in recovery, the know-how of Upamecano and Kim to snuff danger out high up the pitch - as well as mop up in behind - and Guerreiro’s ability to tuck into midfield to help maintain possession and suppress possible counter-attacks have made the Bayern backline exceptionally difficult to break down. Even when it is breached, the indomitable Manuel Neuer more often than not prevents the ball from finding the back of the net.

Watch: Kompany's system at Bayern

5) Strength in depth

A wealth of quality throughout the squad - as well as the versatility of certain players - has also played its part in Bayern’s early season dominance.

Konrad Laimer has consistently proven his ability to contribute from right-back when necessary, while Leon Goretzka has slotted seamlessly back into midfield in the absence of João Palhinha and Aleksandar Pavlović. Club appearance record-holder Thomas Müller has also been a key contributor off the bench, while Leroy Sané has only started one game this season.

And of course you can't forget Jamal Musiala, who has added many more goals - nine from 16 appearances - to his many bows in the early part of this season. 

Watch: Musiala - From initiator to finisher

While this indicates just how strong Bayern’s squad is, it also highlights the harmony within the group and the character of a raft of experienced international players who are playing less than they would like, but still contributing when called upon.