Bayern v Dortmund preview: Der Klassiker for first place, Kane's first game as Ballon d'Or winner and Kompany still absent

The top two in the Bundesliga meet on Saturday 31 October at the Allianz Arena, kick-off 18:30 CET (17:30 UK / 01:30 Sunday Beijing). Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are both unbeaten and level on 17 points after seven games, so the winner goes top on their own.

The table

	Bayern	Dortmund
Position	1st	2nd
Points	17 (W5 D2 L0)	17 (W5 D2 L0)
Goals for / against	25 / 6	12 / 4
Coach	Aaron Danks (standing in for Vincent Kompany)	Niko Kovač
Midweek	Beat Magdeburg 6-1 in the DFB-Pokal	Beat Werder Bremen 3-2 in the DFB-Pokal

Bayern have scored more than twice as many league goals; Dortmund have the best defensive record in the division. Freiburg and Leverkusen are four points further back in third and fourth.

Kane's first game as Ballon d'Or winner

Harry Kane sat out Wednesday's 6-1 cup win over Magdeburg, so Saturday should be his first match since he won the Ballon d'Or — see Kane wins the Ballon d'Or. He is the first Bayern player to win it in 45 years, and the club plan another tribute before kick-off.

Kovač was full of praise. "He didn't buy this somehow, he definitely wasn't given it for free, he worked hard for it," he said, calling Kane's development since joining Bayern in 2023 "sensational". His plan to stop him is collective: "It needs 11 players and only when you have 11 players at a top level can you get something in Munich."

Kompany: out, but out of hospital

Vincent Kompany collapsed at the training ground last Friday and spent several days in hospital, where he was treated for meningeal irritation — inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. He had been dealing with a viral infection and a hip problem beforehand. He has now been discharged, but will not be on the touchline.

Assistant Aaron Danks has won both games in charge, at Freiburg and against Magdeburg — see Bayern 6-1 Magdeburg. Goal reports that Kompany's return could take several weeks at minimum.

Team news

Bayern — out	Dortmund — out
Manuel Neuer	Emre Can
Luis Díaz	Giannis Konstantelias
Jamal Musiala	Justin Lerma
Aleksandar Pavlović
Tarek Buchmann

Bayern's injury list is the longer one. Without Musiala and Díaz, more of the creative load falls on Michael Olise, who scored twice against Magdeburg and has 12 goals in all competitions, more than any other Bundesliga player.

Head-to-head

Dortmund have not beaten Bayern in their last five meetings, a run that goes back to 2024.

Date	Match	Score
22 Aug 2026	Bayern v Dortmund (Super Cup)	2-1
28 Feb 2026	Dortmund v Bayern	2-3
18 Oct 2025	Bayern v Dortmund	2-1

Both teams have scored in each of the last five meetings.

Three things to watch

1. Bayern's attack against Dortmund's defence. It is the league's best attack against its best defence. Dortmund have conceded only four goals in seven games.

2. Bayern's makeshift midfield. Pavlović and Musiala are both out, so Danks has to find a new balance in the middle.

3. The pressure of top spot. Kovač said being level on points makes the game "much more exciting", and that Dortmund need "90 minutes at the highest level". A draw keeps them level; a win for either side opens a three-point gap.

FAQ

What time is Bayern v Dortmund? Saturday 31 October at 18:30 CET, which is 17:30 in the UK and 01:30 on Sunday in Beijing.

Who is top of the Bundesliga? Bayern and Dortmund are level on 17 points. Bayern are first on goal difference.

Will Kompany be on the touchline? No. He has left hospital after being treated for meningeal irritation, but assistant Aaron Danks will lead the team again.

Is Harry Kane playing? He is expected to. He was rested for the cup win over Magdeburg, and Saturday would be his first game as Ballon d'Or winner.