Heynckes wary of Dortmund as Bayern seek derby rebound

Bayern Munich are keen to show that last week's 2-1 defeat at Hanover was only a minor blip on the way to the Bundesliga title when they take on Bavarian neighbours Nuremberg on Saturday.Bayern still enjoy a three-point lead at the top over Borussia Dortmund, who visit fifth-placed VfB Stuttgart aiming to continue their improved league form which has brought four successive wins including a 5-0 hammering of Cologne last weekend.Many before the season had predicted a title battle between Bayern and champions Dortmund. After 10 matches it is beginning to look that way despite Bayern's strong recent run in which keeper Manuel Neuer kept a clean sheet for eight successive league games.Three matches ago, Bayern were eight points clear of Juergen Klopp's side, but the defeat at fourth-placed Hanover has shown the Bundesliga may not become a one-horse race after all."For me nothing much has changed. I already knew the title would not be a matter of course," said Heynckes."The way it looks Dortmund are our strongest rivals. They have a very good team which will be in contention. But we are also good and want to stay at the top.Heynckes, who rested six players in his side's 6-0 thrashing of second-division Ingolstadt in the cup Wednesday, will be without the suspended Jerome Boateng who was sent off against Hanover.Central defender Daniel van Buyten is expected back in the Allianz Arena against 13th-placed Nuremberg, who have not won in Munich for almost 20 years.Schalke under Huub Stevens have also moved into contention, a point behind Dortmund, as they take on visiting Hoffenheim. Hanover, level with Schalke, visit Borussia Moenchengladbach who have slipped to seventh but are only a point behind.The weekend programme begins Friday evening with a return to Freiburg for Bayer Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt, who has so far been unable to fulfil the club's high hopes of a title challenge.Leverkusen, runners-up last season, have struggled with injuries and loss of form and are languishing in midtable ahead of the trip to Freiburg, who have problems of their own at the foot of the table."For us this is an enormously important match and for me personally a special one," said Dutt, who spent four years at Freiburg before succeeding Heynckes at the start of this season at Leverkusen.SV Hamburg's new coach Thorsten Fink was optimistic after an improved display in a 1-1 draw with Wolfsburg last week that the slumbering giants would soon lift themselves out of the relegation zone.Another chance to achieve a first home win in seven months comes with the visit of 14th-placed Kaiserslautern Sunday, while the same day fellow strugglers Augsburg visit Cologne.Wolfsburg greet Hertha Berlin Saturday, while Mainz take on Werder Bremen in the day's remaining fixtures.