Bundesliga heavyweights Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich will go head-to-head in a highly anticipated DFL Supercup that will be the final test for both sides ahead of the new season.

BVB seeking revenge

Borussia Dortmund head into the German Supercup at their Signal Iduna Park looking for a revenge for last year’s 2-0 defeat. Second-half goals from Arturo Vidal and Thomas Muller provided Bayern with a win in this prestigious event and Peter Bosz boys are keen to see things pan out differently this time. The forthcoming Supercup clash will be the biggest test of the preseason for a side that is looking to make amends for last season’s disappointments. The BVB finished third in Bundesliga behind RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, in a season which saw club part ways with manager Thomas Tuchel. The club hopes the negative atmosphere has been eradicated as the team moves forward towards the forthcoming campaign in renewed spirits. Dortmund have had an eventful summer thus far which saw Matthias Ginter and Sven Bender leave the club for Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively, whereas striker Adrian Ramos moved to China. Mikel Merino was loaned out to Newcastle United, but the biggest question mark remains on the futures of first-team stars Ousmane Dembele and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The French starlet has emerged as a transfer target for Barcelona who are looking for Neymar replacements, whereas the Gabon international seems to have gone a bit quiet after initially expressing desire to leave the club in the summer. The clash against Bayern Munich would be a great chance for BVB to showcase their summer recruits Omer Toprak, Mahmoud Dahoud and Maximilian Philipp, who will be looking to make an impression in their competitive debus.

Marco Reus suffered a DFL Cup final injury which will keep him on the sidelines, whereas Jualian Weigl is still nurturing his ankle fracture.

Bayern looking to bounce back

The preseason is hardly a relevant factor to go by but if Bayern Munich’s records are to be analysed it seems that coach Carlo Ancelotti has plenty of work to do before the new season kicks off. The Bavarians are coming off from three consecutive defeats to the likes of Inter Milan, Liverpool and Napoli, respectively. Bayern’s preseason started with a defeat to Arsenal and a 4-0 blow at the hands of AC Milan, while the 3-2 victory over Premier League champions Chelsea remains the only positive from the last six matches. As they prepare for their first competitive match of the season, Bayern Munich will look for improvements in their play against their fierce rivals. Bayern Munich made shrewd moves in the transfer market by signing Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez and Corentin Tolisso as the two standout names to soften the blow caused by Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso’s departures. Neither of the two starts enjoyed a stellar start to their Bayern Munich careers although both players showed glimpses of great promise.

Bundesliga champions will be without Manuel Neuer who continues to recover from a broken foot. Juan Bernat is ruled out after an ankle operation, but Arjen Robben, Jerome Boateng and Thiago all appear to be fit enough to play a part in Saturday’s match.

Verdict

Meetings between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich are rarely uneventful affairs and we expect to see a highly competitive game. Bundesliga rivals are playing for a trophy but also for the bragging rights and a vital morale boost ahead of the new season.

Top pick: Dortmund   3.5 (5/2) @Unibet

Alternative pick 1: Both teams to score – yes   1.56 (5/9) @10Bet

Alternative pick 2: Dortmund to lift the trophy   2.38 (11/8) @William Hill