Bayern press on towards eighth straight title

Hansi Flick’s Bayern Munich head towards an eighth consecutive Bundesliga title with just six games remaining when they host 16^th placed Fortuna Dusseldorf. Both sides were one goal victors in midweek, with Bayern taking the spoils in Der Klassiker thanks to an excellent deft chip from Joshua Kimmich and Dusseldorf beating a hapless Schalke side 2-1 at Merkur Spiel-Arena. 34 points separates the two teams, despite Uwe Rosler’s men being unbeaten in their last six league outings the Bavarians are understandably overwhelming favourites, stretching their lead at the summit to seven points last time out.

Last time out

Bayern demonstrated their class against Dortmund, showing immense defensive solidarity foiling the frightening attacking contingent Lucien Favre’s men possess. BVB had some great openings in the first half, but the likes of Julian Brandt, who was hooked at half time, and Thorgan Hazard could not apply the final ball. Erling Haaland had his chances but did not test Manuel Neuer, a frustrating display from the teenager, capped by him limping off with what looked like a muscular problem, replaced by Giovanni Reyna after 72 minutes.

In a hectic second half quarter of an hour, Fortunen recovered from going a goal down to a brilliantly athletic diving header from Weston McKennie and turned proceedings on its head with Kenan Karaman nodding in his fifth goal in as many league outings. The three points was no less than Rosler’s fire fighters deserved and needed following their painful 2-2 draw at Koln last weekend. The outcome making the scrap against the drop significantly more interesting, Mainz now tottering just one point above Saturday’s visitors in the relegation playoff spot.

Key men

Joshua Kimmich’s skill and ability cannot be ignored in the build up to this fixture, stealing the show with a beautiful dink, surprising Swiss keeper Roman Burki and netting the decisive goal against Dortmund. Having moved into midfield after mainly being deployed at right back in his Bayern career this season, the German has improved massively, a dead ball master at free kicks, corners and the 25-year-old is statistically the most progressive passer in the division. The former RB Leipzig man has been compared to Philipp Lahm since his arrival at the Allianz Arena however is starting to move away from that especially this term, demonstrating the special asset he is to the Bavarians.

It goes without saying that David Alaba continues to show his class, now being used as a centre back following the long-term injury suffered by Niklas Sule and emergence of Alphonso Davies at left back. The absence of fans has portrayed the communication element of the game a lot more and in that the constant voice of Alaba in his twelfth year with the German champions. Still only 27 the Austrian is approaching 400 appearances since joining in 2008 for just £135,000, a club legend in the making.

The odds are stacked against Fortuna and rightly so, they will be hoping to make this encounter competitive.

Bayern Munich – Fortuna Dusseldorf Betting Tip

Bayern Munich (-1.75) Handicap + Over 1.5 Second Half goals with bet365 at odds of 4/5 or 1.78.

Bet Bayern Munich (-1.75) Handicap + Over 1.5 2nd Half goals on Bet365