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Thanks to Bayern Munich losing in shocking fashion on Wednesday, the gap between first and second in the Bundesliga is just five points wide. With Borussia Dortmund closer than they've been to the league leaders in months and getting a match at home up against them at a moment when they're reeling a bit, they have a golden opportunity -- beat Bayern, give their confidence another huge blow, and pull to within just two points of first place in Germany.
Of course, that's easier said than done. Bayern play at their best when they're angry, and a loss like the one they took to Mainz earlier in the week is a good way to get them riled up. Dortmund are an excellent side that can hang with just about anyone in Europe, but there are few teams that can resist Bayern when they're going at their full, motivated flow.
Either way, this edition of Der Klassiker is going to be amazing and fun. Rivalry matches are always entertaining, but with real stakes tied to them, like such vital title race positioning, they become even more intense. This is going to be a must-watch game, and if you miss it you will regret it.
Key player -- Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
Hummels has been dominant of late, but his overall form has been a bit of a roller coaster ride at times this season, and he'll be without his normal partner in central defense for this match with Sokratis Papastathopoulos out. If Hummels' form drops at all in this match, Bayern will be quick to target and overwhelm him, so he'll need to be absolutely laser-focused to make sure that he plays at his best. If he doesn't, this match could be over before it begins for Dortmund.
Key matchup -- Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund) vs. Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich)
While every duel across the pitch will be important, the ability for Bender to keep Müller under wraps whenever he comes inside will be absolutely vital. We've seen Bender knock Müller off his game before, but we've also seen Müller beat Bender all over the final third. Whichever player comes out on top of this battle will likely help their club win the match, and both teams desperately need this win. The pressure is on, and whoever rises to the occasion will be a hero.
Borussia Dortmund injuries and suspensions
Out: Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Hendrik Bonmann
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Jerome Boateng, Javi Martinez, Holger Badstuber, Tom Starke, Milos Pantovic
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. local
Venue: Signal-Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
TV: FX (U.S.), Sportsnet World (Canada), Sky Bundesliga 1/HD (Germany), BT Sport Europe (U.K.)
Online: Fox Soccer 2 Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go Deutschland (Germany), BT Sport Live Streaming (U.K.)