MAY 4: BORUSSIA DORTMUND v BAYERN MUNICH BETTING TIPS

Saturday, 5.30pm
Odds: Dortmund 3.15 (11-5), Bayern 2.46 (6-4), the draw 3.5 (52)

THE Bundesliga is awash with plaudits thanks to the Champions League exploits of these two clubs.

They reached the Final at Wembley in differing ways this week – Dortmund were forced to cling on to a 4-3 aggregate victory at Real Madrid while Bayern completed their extraordinary 7-0 cumulative demolition of Barcelona.

The semi-final performances have led many observers to conclude Bayern are simply a better team than Dortmund and should be clear favourites to win the Final on May 25 but the German Clasico doesn't work like that.

Although Bayern are 20 points clear of BVB at the top of the league, I believe that's a reflection of the clubs' relative squad strength.

When the two teams actually meet the margins tend to be much smaller. They have locked horns three times this term and all three clashes have taken place at Bayern's Allianz Arena. Bayern won 2-1 in the Supercup, 1-0 in the German Cup and the teams drew 1-1 in the league.

It's worth considering Dortmund are unbeaten in their last five league matches against Bayern and before this campaign Jurgen Klopp's men had racked up five consecutive wins against the Bavarian giants.

Dortmund have won their last two Bundesliga home games against Bayern – they ran out 1-0 victors last season and 2-0 winners the campaign before. While most teams play with a fear factor against Bayern, Dortmund know they are capable of beating them.

BVB playmaker Mario Gotze will be spared the indignity of facing his future employers (at least for now) as he is injured while Ilkay Gundogan, Marco Reus and Marcel Schmelzer are carrying knocks. Bayern have left a clutch of stars at home, including Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm.

The bet that stands out for me is under 2.5 goals at 2.24 (5-4). That bet has paid out in four of the teams' last six meetings, including the last three league games, and there won't be much to choose between the sides.

I suspect Bayern are favourites partly because of their outstanding away record but Dortmund have won their last eight home games in all competitions and I think backing them draw no bet at 2.2 (6-5) is a sensible move.

Recommended Bets

Back under 2.5 goals at 2.24
Back Borussia Dortmund draw no bet at 2.27

Milesey (Betfair)

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