Bayern and Dortmund Aim to Stay Level at the Top of the Bundesliga

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund play their ninth-round Bundesliga matches on Saturday, with both teams on 18 points at the top. Bayern visit Mainz, while Dortmund host Elversberg. Bayern lead on goal difference, with Freiburg two points behind in third.

Bayern go into the match after drawing 2-2 with Dortmund in the previous round, their second draw in their last four league matches. They have also drawn four of their last eight matches in all competitions, but have not lost during that run, and beat Atlético Madrid 2-0 in the Champions League. Assistant coach René Marić will lead the team again in the absence of Vincent Kompany, who is unwell.

Luis Díaz and Serge Gnabry are unavailable for Bayern with hamstring injuries, while Jamal Musiala is a doubt. Harry Kane is expected to be in the squad and will be aiming to score his fifth league goal of the season. Kane said Kompany had not put pressure on him to stay, noting the team’s belief that it is moving in the right direction.

Bayern have won five of their last seven meetings with Mainz and lost only once. Mainz, however, have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions and have yet to win at home this season, taking one point from a possible 12.

Dortmund host Elversberg, who are seventh on 13 points, after drawing three of their last four league matches. Dortmund have the competition’s strongest defence, having conceded six goals, and have won six of their last seven home matches. Elversberg returned to winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Mainz.

Saturday’s fixtures also include Leipzig hosting Augsburg and Werder Bremen visiting Stuttgart. The round opens on Friday with Hamburg against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Freiburg play Union Berlin on Sunday.