Bayern need to keep Leverkusen at bay in the race for the Meisterschale, while Dortmund will need all the points they can muster to reach any European competition, let alone its top table. That this 112th Bundesliga edition of der Klassiker is sandwiched in between Champions League quarterfinal assignments has added another dynamic.

The timing of the Bundesliga Klassiker at league leaders Bayern Munich could not have been worse for struggling Borussia Dortmund, with their entire season seemingly resting on Saturday's result.

The Champions League is not doing Der Klassiker any favors. Bayern Munich hosts Borussia Dortmund on Saturday for what has traditionally been one of the Bundesliga’s showpiece games of the season, but both rivals are smarting after chastening Champions League defeats and preoccupied by how they might continue in Europe’s premier competition.