Bayern Munich — Borussia Dortmund: Preview
We provide predictions for the encounter between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the eighth round of the 2026/27 Bundesliga. Both squads are leading the table with 17 points each. Bayern has a double advantage in goal difference over Dortmund.
Key Moments
Bayern Munich
1. Bayern remains unbeaten and wins again
The Vensan Company side, which is still off the bench due to illness and will not return in the upcoming matches, remains the only team without defeats in the top leagues. However, Bayern’s recent struggles cannot be forgotten. In the first half of the month they had a terrible run: out of four matches, only one win and three draws. They quickly returned to winning ways: victories over Freiburg (3–1) in the league and Magdeburg (6–1) in the cup helped correct the situation. In total, in four matches they had three wins and only one draw against Arsenal, which is not a failure.
2. The dressing room is empty: only Díaz and Musiala
It cannot be said that Bayern has survived the personnel crisis, as key players are still missing. However, the absence of Luis Díaz and Jamal Musiala is a much smaller problem than a week ago. Before this game, the owners have two intrigues: Manuel Neuer, who recently recovered from another injury, and Joshua Kimmich, who returned after a family tragedy. Both players have had very few training sessions before the match, will be in the squad, but whether they start depends entirely on the coach’s decision. Overall, the strongest lineup should be fielded.
3. Harry Kane wins the Ballon d’Or
This is also one of the intrigues. Recently it was acknowledged that the English striker keeps the entire Bayern game, while others have retreated into the shadows. Now the situation has changed slightly, but Harry Kane again attracts attention for another reason. He became the first Bayern player in 45 years to win the Ballon d’Or; in the cup last week Kane rested completely, but before this encounter a ceremony will be held in his honor. How will it influence? Obviously, spectacular performances from Harry are expected on the field in such an important match, but can he handle the added pressure?
Borussia Dortmund
1. Dortmund has problems, but there are results For the first time in a long time, Borussia faces a classic match not only on equal terms but also with the same stability. Things are not going well in Dortmund; Nico Kovac’s team is still criticized for pragmatism and lack of concentration at decisive moments. However, there are results: the visitors overcame a bad streak with three draws and showed a series of three wins in different competitions. The wins are nervous and with only a one‑goal advantage, but they exist, and Dortmund continues to progress in its course. Now the biggest challenge.
2. Carcés is close to returning, but still doubtful The visitors are also gradually normalizing the personnel situation. Of course, without mentioning the history with Emre Jann and Ioannis Kostanteles, who left too early due to serious injuries. But there is an opportunity to see Constantinos Carcés, the Greek who trained partially with the team, but the decision to include him will also be made at the last moment. Consequently, Nico Kovac will likely decide to apply his reinforced midfield plan, where Felix Nmecha, Jobe Bellingham, Jo Verman and Kary Chukwe Meke – a solid combination that cannot be surpassed – are present.
3. The Bees attack consistently in Munich Raising the overall statistics of this encounter now is useless; everyone remembers that Bayern has twice as many wins and a good unbeaten run. But don’t forget that in recent years Dortmund has not lost points without chances: in the last six matches they lost three times, but only by one goal and with effective attack. In Munich as well – in the last seven meetings, only in two cases did they score fewer than two goals. And the current Bayern can be caught by defensive errors, while the Bees still have the best defense in the league. That must be exploited.
Possible lineups
4-2-3-1-3-1-4-3-1
Noer 11
Brown 3
Min Jae 2
Upamecano 27
Laimer 8
Bishof 45
Pavlovich 19
Davis 34
Saibari 17
Olise 9
Kane 1
Kobel 22
Gadu 3
Anton 4
Schlitterbeck 8
Nmecha 25
Verman 26
Ryuerson 24
Swenson 17
Chukwe Meke 7
Bellingham 9
Girasy
Trend odds
In four of the last six head‑to‑head matches, no more than three goals were scored. Bet: TM 3.5 at 2.14.
In five of the last seven head‑to‑head matches in Munich, Dortmund scored more goals. Bet: ITB2 1.5 to 2.83.
Forecast
Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund 31.10.2026 21:30
The main game of the first round of the German Bundesliga. At this stage it is of utmost importance, as there is no point difference between the teams. Dortmund will arrive in Munich with the status of the league’s best defense and will try to contain the most ferocious attack. The scenario in this encounter can be absolutely anything, but the intrigue will definitely not stop. Yes, Bayern is gradually returning to the right path: they still do not lose and have already won two consecutive matches after a difficult period. But the structure remains unstable, as there is no coach and several key players, and the defense allows many goals. Borussia will try to play in a habitual and effective way and take advantage of the mistakes, knowing that they will exist. Scoring a couple of goals in Munich is not a problem for the visitors, and then everything will be built on the defense and the reinforced midfield line. Even with the instability of the game, the Bees can break the clear outsider status of the encounter and surprise again with the result. The owners will be closer to victory, but in this battle there will be no winner again.
Forecast: 2-2
