Borussia Dortmund against Bayern Munich - this classic match-up makes the fans enthusiastic. For the 27th consecutive year, Borussia Dortmund will welcome Bayern Munich at a sold-out Signal Iduna Park! 80.667 fans, 500 media members as well as prominent figures from culture, politics and sport will rush to Signal Iduna Mark on Saturday night (kick-off: 18:30 CET). 

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The scenario: Nine places and 31 points separate the clubs, such a gap dates back to seven years ago, in April 2008 (ten places, 23 points). Since then, Jürgen Klopp has become head coach of Borussia Dortmund and the official games record against Bayern has been more balanced (eight wins, three draws and nine defeats); Five wins, three draws and five defeats are the figures for the Bundesliga, which is the worst record of Bayern against any current team of the Bundesliga. 

Home/away: Borussia Dortmund have only lost one of their last seven home games in the league and have failed only once at home in their past six official games against Bayern, which have won the most Bundesliga matches (nine) on away ground and are on a 4 game unbeaten run in away matches. 

Personnel matters: Borussia Dortmund will do without the services of both of their full-backs due to the injury of Piszczek and Kirch. Schmelzer, Durm and Großkreutz are still not fully fit. Besides, Sahin will miss the clash. Bayern will be deprived of Robben, Ribery, Alaba and Martinez. 

Tactics: Borussia Dortmund generally play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but they have often chosen a 4-3-3 against Bayern. Bayern have already lined up three and four defenders with one, two or three forwards in this season. 

Head-to-head: The two clubs have met on 91 occasions with Dortmund winning 23 to Bayern's 40 and playing 28 draws. Although Bayern hold more victories over Borussia Dortmund, this is still their worst record against any other team in the Bundesliga. Borussia Dortmund hold three victories, two defeats and three draws in the past eight Bundesliga matches in their own stadium.   

Statistics: Borussia Dortmund have not conceded more than two goals so far in this season and have been unbeaten for seven matches. Their last defeat was 0-1 against Augsburg on 4 February. Bayern are holding the most victories in the Bundesliga and they have won three-quarters of their matches (20 of 26). However, Bayern have "only" earned a total of 64 points so far, which is ten points less than at the same stage last season (74). 

Biggest home win: It came on 3 June 1967 at Rote Erde Stadium where Borussia Dortmund romped to a 4-0 victory with two goals each from Lothar Emmerich and Reinhold Wosab. 

Attendance: SIGNAL IDUNA PARK is sold out, with 80.667 fans filling the stadium. 

Referee: The game will be refereed by Knut Kircher (46) from Rottenburg, in Württemberg, taking part in his 30th Bundesliga match with Borussia Dortmund. From Borussia Dortmund's perspective, the record of games led by this mechanical engineer is positive with 15 wins, six draws and eight defeats. 
Facts and figures gathered by Boris Rupert