Kimmich could return for Bayern against Dortmund on Saturday, 31 October

Kimmich's possible return

Joshua Kimmich is in line to return for Bayern after a death in his close family, and Bayern's sporting director Max Eberl said that his father had died suddenly. Kimmich has missed the club's last three games while staying with his family. Assistant coach Aaron Danks said Kimmich had trained individually twice and would train with the team for the first time on Friday, 30 October, after which the staff would decide how he progresses. Eberl said Kimmich would set the pace of his return and that the coaching staff would decide with him whether the timing is right.

“Life is different for Jo now. We don't need to make a secret of that.”

Kompany, Neuer and the coaching staff

Head coach Vincent Kompany was diagnosed with meningitis after collapsing at the training ground last week, and he was discharged from hospital during the week. Eberl said Kompany's recovery at home means rest and medication. Danks is standing in as interim head coach and said that football is off-limits in his conversations with Kompany, a stance he attributed to instructions from Eberl and Christoph Freund.

“We are taking this very seriously. I have clear instructions from Max and Christoph not to involve him in any discussions.”

Dortmund coach Niko Kovac said he expected some form of radio contact between Danks and Kompany regardless. Manuel Neuer is still out with pain in his foot, Jonas Urbig is set to start in goal again, and Jamal Musiala and Luis Díaz are also unavailable. If Kimmich starts, he could stand in for Neuer as captain.

Bayern's attack against Dortmund's defence

Bayern and Dortmund are level on points, with Bayern top of the table and Dortmund second. Bayern have scored 25 goals in the first seven Bundesliga matchdays, ahead of RB Leipzig on 20 and FC Augsburg on 17, and only FC Barcelona (40) has scored more in Europe's top five leagues. Harry Kane and Michael Olise have combined for eight goals and five assists at home this season. Bayern also scored 18 goals in their first three home league games, a figure Bayerischer Rundfunk describes as unique in Bundesliga history.

Bayern Munich25

RB Leipzig20

FC Augsburg17

Bayern Munich

25 goals

RB Leipzig

20 goals

FC Augsburg

17 goals

Data from the article text

Dortmund have scored 12 league goals so far but have conceded only four, and Bayerischer Rundfunk describes their defence as the best in Europe. The club has been behind for just 24 minutes, which the broadcaster presents as a reason Dortmund can keep pace with Bayern despite a weaker attack.

Goals scored12

Goals conceded4

Goals scored

12 goals

Goals conceded

4 goals

Data from the article text

What comes next

Kickoff is at 18:30 on Saturday, 31 October, live on Sky and in the Allianz Arena. Bayern then travel to Madrid to face Atlético on Tuesday, 3 November, in the Champions League. Reports suggest Kompany is not expected back before the international break, with 20 November at home to Cologne the earliest possible return. Until then, Danks will lead the team in his place.