DFB Pokal final preview: Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich

May 16, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Dortmund vs BayernOlympic Stadium in Berlin will host the DFB Pokal final match between arch rivals Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich with the game closing the football season in Germany.

This season has not been as successful for the Millionaires as the previous one, with the club again failing to mount a serious title challenge in Bundesliga.

Meanwhile, they impressed in Europe’s elite competition despite crashing out in the quarter-finals, once again proving they can beat even the strongest sides in Europe on their day.

Even with little to play for, Borussia have seriously raised their form over the last couple of months and they clearly go into the Bayern clash high on confidence.

And having enjoyed a 3-0 triumph at Alianz Arena just a month ago, the Millionaires can be backed at 2.88 (17/9) to lift the DFB Pokal trophy.

Dortmund are unbeaten in their last nine matches (W8 D1) and the 4-0 victory over Hertha at the same venue where the final will be played is enough to suggest they are on top of their game at the moment.

Despite leaving Bayern-bound Robert Lewandowski on the bench in the previous clash with his future employers, Jurgen Klopp is likely to hand the Pole a starting berth this time out.

Marco Reus has shaken off a minor knock, but Ilkay Gundogan, Sven Bender, Neven Subotic and Jakub Blaszczykowski are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Weidenfeller – Piszczek, Hummels, Sokratis, Schmelzer – Jojic, Sahin – Grosskreutz, Mkhitaryan, Reus – Lewandowski.

Pep Guardiola was always going to have his work cut out for him after replacing Jupp Heynckes at Alianz Arena, and the general impression is the Spaniard hasn’t quite managed to prove his worth this season.

While Bayern eased off to the Bundesliga trophy, they were hammered by Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, with the 5-0 aggregate defeat regarded as a major disappointment.

The Bavarians are now set to contest the DFB Pokal final against bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund, a team they have already faced three times this season.

And with Bayern losing two of those matches, conceding seven goals in the process, it is perfectly clear Pep Guardiola’s charges will be out to get revenge.

With most key players available, the Bavarians are rightly considered favourites to win the game in regular time, and away win pays 2.05 (21/20).

The boss faces some selection problems as Thiago Alcantara is definitely out and Bastian Schweinsteiger is doubtful through a knee injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Neuer – Rafinha, Boateng, Dante, Alaba – Lahm, Martinez – Robben, Kroos, Ribery – Mandzukic.

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