THIS season may be completely unique in so many ways with the coronavirus crisis causing chaos and turbulence across the world of football.
But some things never seem to change in Germany as it is Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund battling it out to be crowned Bundesliga champions once again.
Bayern Munich are currently top of the Bundesliga but it is still all to play for in the German top flight
The Bavarians went into the lockdown with a four-point lead of Lucien Favre’s side and both teams won their first two matches after the lockdown.
Munich are aiming to win a record-extending 30th Bundesliga title this term and an eighth on the spin since Dortmund’s victory in 2011/12.
But as the season approaches its climax, it is still all to play for as the two arch-rivals prepare to battle it out once again.
Is the Bundesliga decided on goal difference or head-to-head?
If two teams are level on points at the end of a Bundesliga season, it comes down to goal difference.
That is the total number of goals a team scores in the whole season minus the total number of goals they concede.
Most leagues work off that system, including the Premier League.
However, Spain’s LaLiga is determined primarily by a head-to-head system which takes into accounts the results between the two sides in that season.
In 2006/07, the title was decided on the final day as Stuttgart pipped Schalke and finish two points clear.
It was even closer in 2000/01 when Borussia Dortmund finished on 70 points, Bayer Leverkusen on 69 and Bayern Munich on 68.
The year before, Bayern nicked the league from Schalke by a single point.
Incredibly, though, the previous season – 1999/00 – was determined by goal difference as Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen both finished on 73 points.
Munich’s goal difference of +45 compared to Leverkusen’s +38 ensured it was the Bavarians that clinched it. Just.
What is the Bundesliga table?
With 27 rounds of matches played, Bayern Munich lead the way on 61 points with 19 victories, four draws and four defeats.
Their nearest challengers are Borussia Dortmund who are four points adrift on 57.
Then comes the chasing pack hoping to secure a top-four finish and Champions League football.
RB Leipzig are third on 54 followed by Bayer Leverkusen on 53 and Borussia Monchengladbach on 52.
Wolfsburg occupy sixth spot back on 39.
What are Dortmund and Bayern’s remaining fixtures?
The two heavyweights of German football go head to head at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday night with Dortmund desperate to close the gap to just one point with eight games remaining.
Bayern then face Fortuna Dusseldorf (h), Bayer Leverkusen (a), Borussia Monchengladbach (h), Werder Bremen (a), Freiburg (h) and finally Wolfsburg (a) on the final day.
Dortmund, meanwhile, have fixtures against Paderborn (a), Hertha Berlin (h), Fortuna Dusseldorf (a), Mainz (h), RB Leipzig (a) and lastly Hoffenheim (h).
How can I watch the Bundesliga?
- In the UK, BT Sport have the rights to the Bundesliga.
- The channel have confirmed that they will be broadcasting every remaining match this season.
- It will be available to subscribers on BT Sport’s channels, their website, and their app.
- ‘Der Klassiker’ between Dortmund and Bayern is a 17:30 kick-off UK time on Tuesday and is live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate.
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are on course to battle it out to the end for this season’s Bundesliga titleCredit: AFP or licensors
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
