BVB v FCB: The stats and stories
FC Bayern versus Borussia Dortmund is undoubtedly the Bundesliga's biggest fixture - and it is also a huge draw around the world, with Saturday's latest edition of the German Clásico set to be broadcast live in the vast majority of the FIFA's 209 member nations. We present the stats and stories in our big match factfile prior to Saturday's clash between the Reds and the Yellow and Blacks:
My turn, your turn
The last seven competitive meetings between FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund have seen the teams take it in turns to win. Since FCB's 2--1 Champions League final victory at Wembley in 2013, neither side has avoided defeat after winning the previous fixture. FCB prevailed 2-1 in last November's reverse fixture at the Allianz Arena.
Good overall record against BVB
Bayern and Dortmund meet this weekend in a competitive fixture for the 107th time. The men from Munich comfortably lead the head-to-head with 49 victories. Dortmund have won 27, with 30 games finishing in a draw. BVB also won an unofficial Supercup meeting 2-1 back in 2008.
Honours even in Dortmund
The teams have crossed swords 91 times in the Bundesliga. Bayern's record is 40 wins, 23 defeats and 28 draws with 169 goals scored and 115 conceded. In games played in Dortmund the honours are more or less even: of the 45 matches in the Ruhr Valley, FCB have won 13, with 18 draws and 14 victories to BVB, who narrowly lead 66-63 on goals scored.
Saturday night's all right
In one important dimension the stats point to a Bayern victory away to Dortmund this weekend, as FCB have lost only one of their last 19 matches played in the 'top match' slot on Saturday evening. By contrast, Dortmund have won none of their last six games on Saturday night: BVB's record is three draws and three defeats. However, Munich's most recent defeat was also Borussia's latest win, a 3-0 success on 12 April 2014, albeit when FCB had already been crowned champions.
Kircher in charge
Knut Kircher has been appointed to referee the Bundesliga showdown between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern. In the course of his long refereeing career, the 46-year-old, 1.96 metre tall design engineer from Rottenburg has whistled 46 Bayern matches, with only five ending in defeat for the Reds. This term, Kircher took charge of victories for Guardiola's team at Köln (2-0) and at home to Leverkusen (1-0). Kircher's assistants on Saturday are Robert Kempter and Thorsten Schiffner, with Christian Dingert as the fourth official.