Unbeaten Dortmund visit Kompany-less Bayern level on 17 points

📰 Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, both on 17 points, meet at the Allianz Arena on Saturday 31 October with top spot at stake. 📌 Key points ⚔️ Matchday 8's Der Klassiker kicks off at 18:30 on Saturday 31 October. ⚖️ Both sides have 17 points; Bayern lead on goal difference. 🛡️ Dortmund are unbeaten in the league with five wins and two draws. 🏥 Aaron Danks leads Bayern in Vincent Kompany's absence. 🗣️ Schlotterbeck calls this the best Bayern side in 15 to 20 years. 📝 What happened 🔥 According to Bundesliga.com, the two sides are level on points after seven matchdays and separated only by goal difference. Bayern have scored 25 league goals, and their 18 at home is a club record at this stage. Dortmund are unbeaten with five wins and two draws, and have yet to lose away. 🏥 Kompany, discharged from hospital after meningeal irritation, will not be on the touchline, so assistant Aaron Danks takes charge. Luis Díaz is definitely out with a muscle injury, while Manuel Neuer and Jamal Musiala are doubtful. Joshua Kimmich, who missed two games after a family bereavement, is expected back this week. 🩹 Dortmund are without captain Emre Can. At his press conference on 29 October, Kovač said Kosta Karetsas, who hurt a ligament at Union Berlin, had trained partially and a decision would follow the next day's session. Everyone else is fit. 🗣️ Kovač called Bayern 'the ultimate, not only in Germany but in Europe' and said his side must play at the highest level for 90 minutes. According to Sky, he also called on VAR to step in when decisions are wrong. Stand-in captain Schlotterbeck said: 'We'll go there without fear and play a good game. I'm confident we can get something.' 📊 By the numbers • Points: Bayern 17 / Dortmund 17 (Bayern top on goal difference) • Kobel: five clean sheets and an 82% save rate, but winless in 10 Bundesliga games against Bayern • Upamecano: unbeaten in 51 league appearances, five short of the all-time record • Last 17 competitive meetings: Bayern have won 13 👀 What to watch 🧤 Kobel's first win over Bayern — The league's clean-sheet leader has never beaten Bayern in 10 Bundesliga games. Breaking that run would put Dortmund top on their own. 🧱 Upamecano's unbeaten streak — Bayern have not lost in any of his 51 league appearances. He is five away from the all-time record. 🩼 Injuries — Bayern are without Díaz and unsure of Neuer and Musiala. Dortmund need Karetsas to come through training. ⚽ Ballon d'Or winner Kane — His first league game since the award. Rested in the cup win over Magdeburg, he is expected to start. 🔭 Why it matters According to Eurosport, a Dortmund win would be their 36th in 141 competitive meetings with Bayern and take them top alone. A Bayern win would tighten their grip on first place despite the coaching gap. Kick-off is 18:30 on Saturday 31 October at the Allianz Arena.