Fuelled by their UEFA Champions League ambitions, Borussia Dortmund have it in them to finally get one over on Bayern Munich again in Der Klassiker. Not convinced? Allow bundesliga.com to elaborate...

Der Klassiker explained!

1) Strong 2024-orm

If Dortmund had finished 2023 as they've started 2024, they'd surely be part of the title equation. BVB have claimed 23 points from 10 league games so far this calendar year, putting them second in that regard to leaders Bayer Leverkusen (28 points). Die Schwarzgelben have recorded seven wins in that time, compared to one in eight matches prior to the winter break, whilst scoring 23 goals and conceding seven. Only second-placd Bayern have hit more (27); only Leverkusen have shipped less (six). 

2) One clear objective

Dortmund's form one-eighty has helped them turn a six-point deficit on the top four at Christmas into a one-point lead over fifth-in-the-table RB Leipzig ahead of Der Klassiker. Needless to say maintaining their position is their primary objective across the final eight matchdays of 2023/24. Just look at how they fought back from a goal down to beat Eintracht Frankfurt with two late strikes prior to the March international break, acutely aware that anything less than fourth could mean a first season without UEFA Champions League football since 2015/16.

Watch: Dortmund 3-1 Frankfurt - highlights

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3) Slippery Sancho

Having Jadon Sancho fit to start - especially with Donyell Malen injured - gives Dortmund further cause for optimism. The Englishman's had his niggles since returning to the club on a six-month loan deal from Manchester United, but was on target in Dortmund's last away game - a 2-1 win at Werder Bremen. Whether it's Sancho going up against Joshua Kimmich on the Bayern right or Alphonso Davies on the opposite flank, he can be expected to do some real damage. It wouldn't be the first time, either. The Dortmund No.10 scored one and made another in a superb match-winning Klassiker display in the 2019/20 Supercup.

Quiz: Test your knowledge of Der Klassiker!

4) Spring in their step

Sancho's among the not insignificant number of Dortmund regulars overlooked for international duty this past week or so. The fact the 11-goal Niclas Füllkrug was the sole BVB representative in Julian Nagelsmann's Germany squad raised plenty of eyebrows, but it could prove a blessing in disguise for head coach Edin Terzić. While Bayern's international representatives were in the double digits - they even lost goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to injury - core Dortmund players like Niklas Süle, Mats Hummels, Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can, Julian Brandt, Marco Reus and Karim Adeyemi should all be as fresh as daisies come Der Klassiker.

Watch: Marco Reus starred when Dortmund last beat Bayern

5) Long-overdue bragging rights

Call it the gambler's fallacy if you like, but Dortmund are due a win over Bayern. They've lost nine of the most recent 10 league meetings with the record champions, only avoiding defeat in a dramatic draw at the Signal Iduna Park last season. You have to go back to November 2018 for their last win over their modern-day rivals - 3-2 at home. BVB's last nine visits to Munich have also ended in defeat, dating back to a 3-0 victory on 14 April 2014, when a certain Nuri Şahin was in the starting line-up.

Watch: Nuri Şahin scored one of the most memorable Klassiker goals in recent memory

Can the Dortmund midfielder-turned-assistant coach - who, like co-deputy Sven Bender, played in back-to-back wins against Bayern under Jürgen Klopp in 2010/11 - impart the spirit of Klassiker triumphs past? Follow all the build-up, match action and reaction to Bayern vs. Dortmund on bundesliga.com!

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