German football fans are eagerly anticipating the Bundesliga’s eighth-round top clash, as Bayern Munich host their rivals Borussia Dortmund at home on Saturday, 31 October 2026. The two teams share top spot with 17 points each, making the encounter decisive in determining the leader. The match is broadcast on beIN Sports, and in France and Europe it is shown on beIN SPORTS 2 according to the channel’s official schedule.
Match Time and Broadcast Channels
The match takes place at Bayern Munich’s stadium at 18:30 Morocco and Algeria time, 19:30 Egypt time, and 20:30 Saudi Arabia time. The game can be followed via the beIN Sports network, with reliance on official platforms and avoidance of unreliable links.
Key Absentees
Both teams enter the match with influential absentees in their ranks, according to official sources:
- Bayern Munich: Aleksandar Pavlović (calf injury), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (appendicitis), Kim Min-jae (inner thigh injury), L. Díaz (hamstring injury), who is one of the league’s top scorers.
- Borussia Dortmund: Yannis Konstantelias (cruciate ligament injury), Kawa Bratees (muscle injury).
The absence of Díaz is an attacking blow for Bayern as he is one of the league’s top scorers, while Dortmund miss the services of Konstantelias and Bratees in midfield.
Predicted Lineup for Bayern Munich
The coach is likely to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation, based on the last starting lineup against FC Magdeburg in the German Cup on 28 October 2026. With the injured players excluded, he may field the following:
- Goalkeeper: Jonas Urbig
- Defence: Josip Stanišić, Jonathan Tah (captain), Hiroki Ito, N. Brown
- Midfield: Konrad Laimer, Tom Bischof, Michael Olise, Lennart Karl, Serge Gnabry
- Attack: Ismael Saibari
This lineup is predicted based on the last competitive match and may change due to rotation or emergencies. Díaz’s absence opens the door for Saibari up front, with support from Gnabry and Olise.
Predicted Lineup for Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund are expected to play a 3-4-2-1 formation, based on the last starting lineup against Werder Bremen in the German Cup on 27 October 2026. With Konstantelias and Bratees absent, the lineup may be as follows:
- Goalkeeper: G. Kobel
- Defence: Waldemar Anton, N. Schlotterbeck (captain), João Gado
- Midfield: Joey Veerman, Jude Bellingham, F. Nmecha, C. Chukwuemeka
- Attack: J. Ryerson, M. Beier, S. Guirassy
This lineup is predicted and may change according to the coach’s choices. The absence of Konstantelias and Bratees reduces midfield options, but Bellingham and Chukwuemeka provide adequate cover.
InfoSports Numbers
- Bayern Munich have scored 25 goals in 7 matches, while Dortmund have scored 12.
- Dortmund have conceded only 4 goals, the best defence in the league so far.
- In the last two meetings between them: Bayern won 3-2 at Dortmund on 28 February 2026, and won 2-1 at home on 18 October 2025 (both in the Bundesliga).
Bayern possess the strongest attack, while Dortmund are distinguished by their defensive solidity. The encounter is a real test of the visitors’ defence’s ability to withstand Bayern’s hungry attack.
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