Bayern under pressure for 'biggest challenge'

BERLIN: Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich face a stern challenge to their place at the top of the table this weekend when Carlo Ancelotti's Bavarian giants play Borussia Dortmund away on Saturday.

Bayern could be knocked from top spot even before kick-off if second-placed RB Leipzig pick up a point at Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night to extend their unbeaten record to 11 matches.

But all eyes will be on Dortmund, where the German league's top two strikers -- Borussia's PierreEmerick Aubameyang and Bayern's Robert Lewandowski -will go head-to-head.

Fifth-placed Dortmund are six points behind Bayern in what Fixtures (kick-offs 10:30pm unless stated) Saturday Bayer Leverkusen v RB Leipzig (3:30am), Borussia Moenchengladbach v Cologne, Mainz v Freiburg, VfL Wolfsburg v Schalke 04, Augsburg v Hertha Berlin, Darmstadt v Ingolstadt Sunday Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich (1:30am), Hoffenheim v Hamburg, Werder Bremen v Eintracht Frankfurt (12:30am Monday) promises to be a battle royal and between them, Aubameyang and Lewandowski have scored 18 league goals.

"It's not just the fans who look forward to this game, but the players as well," said Bayern's Germany forward Thomas Mueller.

"It's the best game of the year, because it's the hardest to win. "It's the biggest challenge." The battle of Germany's top two teams has been dubbed 'Der Klassiker' by the German media in recent years, but Dortmund's last league win over Bayern -- home or away -- was more than two years ago.

Nevertheless, hosts Dortmund are eager for their first win over the Bavarians at Signal Iduna Park since April 2012.

Both sides have stars with a point to prove against their former club.

Bayern's Germany defender Mats Hummels can expect to face a cacophony of whistles and jeers every time the ex-Dortmund captain touches the ball.

"If we lose then lots of teams, including Dortmund, will be very close behind us (in the table)," said Hummels.

Mario Goetze, who spent the last three seasons in Munich, will lead Dortmund's attack while defensive midfielder Sebastian Rode is hoping for a start against ex-club Bayern.

Dortmund winger Marco Reus could make his first start of the season after a groin injury while Bayern have had both defender Jerome Boateng and winger Franck Ribery back in training after knocks. - AFP