Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Fortuna Dusseldorf - prediction, team news, lineups

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will be looking to further their chances of an eighth successive German top flight title when they host Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday evening.

In contrast, Dusseldorf are embroiled in a relegation battle after 28 games, but they did manage to pick up a vital three points against Schalke last time out.

Match preview

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Having established a seven-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga standings following a hard-fought 1-0 win over closest challengers Borussia Dortmund, it seems inconceivable to predict anything other than a 30th German top flight title for Bayern as the season draws to a close.

Joshua Kimmich 's looping effort ensured that the Bavarian giants remain on course for Bundesliga glory once again, and Bayern can all but wrap up the title with a victory over Dusseldorf this weekend.

Hansi Flick has now witnessed his side record nine straight wins in all competitions since February, and Bayern have not tasted defeat on home soil since their 2-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen back in November.

Perhaps the only surprise of Bayern's Der Klassiker triumph was Robert Lewandowski 's failure to add to his Bundesliga tally of 27 goals thus far. The 31-year-old had found the net in nine of Bayern's previous 10 matches prior to last weekend and will no doubt be looking to return to his prolific ways against an out-of-sorts Dusseldorf side.

History certainly favours the Bundesliga leaders heading into the tie - Bayern have won nine of the previous 11 meetings between the two sides in Germany's top flight, and Flick's men subjected Dusseldorf to a 4-0 drubbing when the sides last locked horns in November.

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As far as Dusseldorf are concerned, Uwe Rosler will be keen to avoid any signs of complacency following their vital 2-1 win over Schalke on Wednesday night.

Both sides went into the fixture struggling for wins at this crucial stage of the season, before two goals in five minutes from Rouwen Hennings and Kenan Karaman ended a five-game winless run in all competitions for Rosler's men.

That result means Dusseldorf remain in the relegation playoff spot with 27 points, although Rosler's side have now reduced the gap to just one point behind 15th-placed Mainz.

With fixtures against top-half sides such as Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim still on the agenda for Dusseldorf, however, the odds weigh heavily against Rosler's side in the fight to stay up.

Nevertheless, should Dusseldorf manage to defy expectations and pull off a shock victory at the Allianz Arena, they would climb above Mainz and Eintracht Frankfurt should both sides lose to Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg respectively earlier in the day.

Bayern Munich Bundesliga form: WWWWWW

Bayern Munich form (all competitions): WWWWWW

Dusseldorf Bundesliga form: WDDDDW

Dusseldorf form (all competitions): DLDDDW

Team News

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Bayern are likely to field the same lineup from their victory at the Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday.

Central midfielders Corentin Tolisso and Thiago remain on the sidelines, and it is still too soon for Niklas Sule to return to action.

The on-loan Philippe Coutinho - who Bayern have supposedly decided against signing permanently from Barcelona - is also out with an ankle problem.

With regards to Dusseldorf, Rosler has no fresh injury concerns before their trip to the Allianz Arena.

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen remains on the treatment table for Dusseldorf, who could welcome Bernard Tekpetey back to the squad following a minor injury.

Karaman and Hennings, who were both on target against Schalke, are expected to lead the line for Rosler's side once again.

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:

Neuer; Pavard, Boateng, Alaba, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Gnabry, Muller, Coman; Lewandowski

Fortuna Dusseldorf possible starting lineup:

Kastenmeier; Ayhan, Hoffmann, Suttner; Zimmermann, Stoger, Bodzek, Morales, Thommy; Karaman, Hennings

We say: Bayern Munich 4-0 Fortuna Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf produced a terrific display of defensive solidarity in their midweek victory over Schalke, but they are now facing a Bayern side who are cruising to Bundesliga glory, so we cannot see anything other than a comfortable home victory for the 29-time champions.