The Klassiker takes centre-stage on Saturday, as Bayern Munich look to pile further misery on Borussia Dortmund, who have made a horrific start to their Bundesliga campaign this season, when the two biggest teams in Germany clash at the Allianz Arena.
While Bayern Munich have done what they do best – win games and stay atop the Bundesliga – Borussia Dortmund have floundered, and then some, and currently lie in a lowly 15th position in this 18-team league.
Having picked up just seven points in their first nine matches, Borussia Dortmund are already 14 points behind league leaders Bayern Munich, with hopes of wresting back the Bundesliga title back from Pep Guardiola's men going up in smoke way too quickly.
The one team that Dortmund would have looked forward to facing though, in times of such "crisis" ironically are the champions, who they have beaten three times in the last four games at the Allianz Arena.
Guardiola and his possession-hugging side somehow just find it difficult against Dortmund's speed and pressing, especially with that high backline. "At this moment, Dortmund are still the biggest rival," Guardiola said. "The points difference means nothing in October.
"I don't analyse the table. In my opinion this is a great team, no matter in what kind of situation they are right now. We'll play against the best BVB. This is a special match because the opponent is very, very, very good.
"Also, our way of playing is excellent for them as we defend 40 metres in front of [goalkeeper] Manuel Neuer. But I won't change my tactics. I have always played my teams very far forward – ever since my first day at Barcelona B."
There is plenty of ill-feeling amongst the two sides heading into this fixture as well, with Borussia Dortmund not taking too kindly to Bayern Munich's public admiration for Marco Reus, who will be available for a pretty low price at the end of the season if he does not sign a new contract.
Bayern have already signed two marquee players from Borussia Dortmund in the past couple of seasons, with Mario Gotze moving to Munich in the summer of 2013, before Robert Lewandowski did the same a year later.
"This is an important game -- Dortmund are always dangerous," Lewandowski, who will be facing his former team in the Bundesliga for the first time since making the move, told Sport Bild. "They can beat anyone in a one-off game.
"They have so many players injured and they have the whole season to turn things around. It has all gone wrong at the start but Dortmund are always difficult to play against.
"They still have great players, so the biggest mistake for us would be to underestimate them."
Where to Watch Live
The Klassiker is scheduled for a 6.30 pm local time (11 pm IST, 5.30 pm GMT, 1.30 pm ET) start with live coverage in India on Neo Prime in India. Coverage in the UK will be on BT Sport 1, while viewers can also watch the big Bundesliga match via live streaming online via Watch BT Sport or BT Sport Online Player.
Viewers in the USA and Canada can catch the game on GOLTV, while the match will be shown live in Germany on Sky Sport. Viewers in Germany can also live stream the action on Sky Go Germany.
Audience in Australia can watch the match on Setanta Sports or live online on Setanta Sports Plus. Viewers in North Africa and the Middle East can catch the game via live streaming on Bein Sports Connect or live on TV on Bein Sports Arabia.
Team news: Bayern Munich: Guardiola has plenty of players missing with Holger Badstuber, Javi Martinez, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thiago Alcantara, Tom Starke and Pepe Reina all ruled out.
Borussia Dortmund: Marcel Schmelzer, Jakub Blaszczykowski, Oliver Kirch, Nuri Sahin and Ji Dong-Won will all miss out in the Klassiker, but Ilkay Gundogan should start after making his long-awaited return.
Expected lineups: Bayern Munich: Neuer; Benatia, Boateng, Alaba; Rafinha, Lahm, Alonso, Bernat; Robben, Muller; Lewandowski.
Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Sokratis; Kehl, Bender, Grosskreutz; Kagawa, Reus; Aubameyang.
