5 reasons why Bayern Munich will destroy Borussia Dortmund in the DFB Pokal tie

Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich will once again collide in a much anticipated DFB Pokal clash this midweek. It will be a perfect pre-Christmas bonanza before we end the footballing year of 2017.

Both teams are on a high coming into this game, especially Dortmund, who have registered two back to back morale-boosting wins following the appointment of Peter Stoger. While, Bayern, on the other hand, had to work really hard to edge past Stuttgart and Koln in their recent matches.

However, the Bavarians are still firm favourites going into this game and here's five why reasons why the German champions will destroy Borussia Dortmund this midweek.

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#5 World class squad depth

Dortmund are simply way too inferior to compete against Bayern Munich at the moment. The Bavarians boast one of the strongest teams in world football and even their second string team could put up a competitive performance against BVB if not win the game.

Even though the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Arjen Robben have been ruled out for the clash, Bayern still have a squad highly capable thrashing Dortmund any day of the week.

Bayern have proved in the past that they are capable of snatching victories even if they are not playing to their full potential, which has mainly been the reason behind their astounding success in German football for the past five years or so.

#4 A decimated Dortmund squad

Reus helped BVB to the title last season, but he isn't available this time

Borussia Dortmund have been plagued by injury this season (if that's not a surprise). The Black and Yellows are without the services of star players such as Mario Gotze, Marco Reus, Andre Schurrle along with handy first team players in Gonzalo Castro (created most chances for BVB this season), Lukasz Piszczek (by far the best right back in the team) and Maximilian Philipp (arguably the signing of the summer for BVB).

Furthermore, they are also missing Sebastian Rode, Erik Durm and Jacob Bruun Larsen. To add salt to the wounds, Borussia Dortmund could be without star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this midweek, as the Gabonese International sustained a muscular injury during training on Monday.

If Aubameyang, who has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season, does become unavailable against Bayern, Borussia Dortmund could receive a hammering this midweek.

#3 Home advantage

Bayern rarely lose at the Allianz

The fact that the game will be hosted at the Allianz Arena aka the fortress of Bayern Munich, will surely be a significant advantage for the Bavarians.

Bayern Munich are yet to be beaten at home this season, even under Carlo Ancelotti. All three of their defeats have come in away games, which suggests the fact that the hosts will be a lot stronger than they actually are, thanks to all the passionate Bayern supporters backing them up as the 12th on the field.

In fact, they have dropped points at home, only once so far, which came in the 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg. Although, not impossible, it will definitely be a gigantic task for Peter Stoger's men to thwart the German champions on their home turf this week.

#2 Form of key first-team players

James Rodriguez has been in good form for Bayern

Almost all of Bayern's key first-team players are in full flow prior to the encounter. While players like Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich have all managed to sustain their good form consistently this season, newcomers Sebastian Rudy, James Rodriguez and Niklas Sule have also embraced their new challenges this season.

James Rodriguez, in particular, is in great form, of late along with Niklas Sule, who has been consistently challenging Jerome Boateng for a berth in the starting lineup. Even Arturo Vidal has shown great commitment over the past few matches and will be a key figure in midfield this midweek.

The seemingly impressive form of key first-team regulars might prove to be the real difference between the two sides as Dortmund brace themselves for a mammoth task this week.

#1 Robert Lewandowski

Lewandowski has a good record against Bayern

A few years ago, Borussia Dortmund were the only regular Bundesliga team Robert Lewandowski didn't manage to score against just because of the simple fact that he was a Dortmund player himself.

Fast forward to two years, however, Lewandowski acquires a super impressive record against his former team. In fact, his astonishing record of nine goals in just 13 games against Dortmund, easily slips into his tally of his top ten favourite clubs he enjoys scoring against.

The Polish International has often proved to be the difference between Bayern and Dortmund in Der Klassiker. Keep an eye out for him!