Bayern's Unbeaten Streak Faces Its Toughest Test
Matchday 16 brings us the biggest fixture in German football: Bayern Munich against Borussia Dortmund. Itās March 2026, and Bayern rolls into this one at the Allianz Arena with a pristine league record. They haven't dropped a point since late October, reeling off nine consecutive Bundesliga victories. Thomas Tuchelās side has been a defensive fortress, conceding just two goals in their last five league outings, a run that includes clean sheets against Leverkusen and Leipzig.
Jamal Musiala has been the creative spark, bagging five goals and four assists in the last seven matches. Heās operating with a freedom we havenāt seen consistently from him in previous seasons, often drifting wide right before cutting in, or popping up centrally in the half-spaces. Harry Kane, naturally, leads the line and the league scoring charts with 18 goals in 15 games. He's simply unplayable when given an inch.
Here's the thing: Bayern's midfield, usually anchored by Joshua Kimmich and Konrad Laimer, has been strong. But Laimer picked up a knock in training this week and is a doubt. That means Leon Goretzka might get the nod. While Goretzka offers more attacking thrust, he sometimes leaves Kimmich exposed defensively. Dortmund will absolutely try to exploit that.
Dortmund's Road Form and Adeyemi's Ascent
Dortmund, on the other hand, has been a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team this season. Their home form at Signal Iduna Park remains formidable, but on the road, Edin TerziÄās men have struggled to find consistency. Theyāve dropped points in three of their last five away games, including a surprising 2-2 draw at Augsburg last month. That said, they did pull off an impressive 3-1 win at Stuttgart two weeks ago, with Karim Adeyemi bagging a brace.
Adeyemi has really hit his stride in 2026. Heās scored six goals in his last eight appearances across all competitions, showing the explosive pace and clinical finishing that Dortmund fans have been waiting for. Julian Brandt continues to be their primary playmaker, dictating tempo and delivering killer passes. He has nine assists this season, second only to Musiala in the league.
Defensively, Dortmund has been leaky at times. They've conceded 19 goals in 15 league matches, a stark contrast to Bayern's league-best 8. Nico Schlotterbeck and Mats Hummels, for all their experience, sometimes get caught out by quick counter-attacks. This is a real concern against a Bayern side that thrives on rapid transitions.
The Head-to-Head and Tactical Showdown
Historically, Der Klassiker has been a brutal affair for Dortmund in recent years. Bayern has won the last ten Bundesliga meetings between the two sides, a truly staggering run. The last time Dortmund beat Bayern in the league was back in November 2018, a 3-2 thriller at Signal Iduna Park. At the Allianz Arena, Dortmund hasn't won a league match since April 2014, a 3-0 victory.
This match will likely be decided in midfield. If Goretzka starts for Bayern, Dortmund's Emre Can and Salih Ćzcan will need to be at their absolute best to disrupt Kimmich and prevent Bayern from controlling possession. Look for Dortmund to try and hit Bayern on the break, using Adeyemi's speed and Brandt's vision. They'll need to be clinical, because you don't get many chances against this Bayern defense.
Bayern, meanwhile, will look to exploit Dortmund's defensive frailties. Musiala's ability to create space and Kane's predatory instincts in the box will be key. I think Tuchel will instruct his full-backs, Alphonso Davies and Noussair Mazraoui, to push high and wide, stretching Dortmund's back line and creating overloads in the final third.
One slightly controversial opinion: Dortmundās best chance might actually be to sit a little deeper than usual, absorb pressure, and hit Bayern with quick, direct counters. Trying to go toe-to-toe in a possession battle with this Bayern team at the Allianz is a recipe for disaster.
Bold Prediction: Bayern wins 2-1, but Dortmund makes them work for every single minute.