Bayer Leverkusen vs. Borussia Dortmund: Issues, Decisions That Will Shape Game
On Saturday, Borussia Dortmund return to Bundesliga action with a tough affair away to Bayer Leverkusen at the famous BayArena.
Jurgen Klopp's side took to the winter break with plenty of bumps and bruises but will be hoping to get back into the swing of things and make up for lost time. Only 12 points stand between Dortmund and the fourth Champions League spot at the moment.
Saturday's match offers the first of many opportunities for the former German champions to turn things around.
Here are all the issues and decisions that will affect Saturday's high-profile clash.
Ilkay Gundogan's Fitness
Dortmund will be without injured Sven Bender and Sebastian Kehl on Saturday, and with Nuri Sahin playing just a handful of games before the winter break, Klopp will be desperately assessing the fitness of Ilkay Gundogan.
According to the club website on January 29, Gundogan was labelled a doubt for Saturday's game, yet his manager will be desperate for him to feature in a match that could mean so much to the second half of the season.
Dortmund look light in the centre of the park and could really use a player like Gundogan in their ranks when they travel to Leverkusen this weekend.
Klopp Doesn't Fear the BayArena
A lot has changed for Klopp this season. Bayern are still unbeatable, and his star players look tempted by interest elsewhere, but a number of clubs in the German top division no longer crumble in fear when his team come to town.
One side who Klopp will be hoping still fear his team are Leverkusen, who have never beaten Dortmund whenever they've come to the BayArena since the charismatic coach took over the reins at the Westfalenstadion.
Dortmund may be at the wrong end of the table, and his side may look in shambles, but Klopp will be confident that old habits are having trouble dying on Saturday.
Schmidt Will Hope to Continue Record vs Big Sides
The Factory Boys have hope of confirming their spot in the top four this season, and with their record against other Champions League contenders, you'd be forgiven for assuming Schmidt's side are on course to do so.
Although Leverkusen have looked consistent across the board, what's really impressed fans and critics alike is their record against conventional top four sides this season.
Beating Dortmund in the opening game of the season was one thing, but to go on and beat Schalke, draw with Borussia Monchengladbach and then narrowly lose to Bayern Munich suggests this side know exactly what they're doing in these big games.
Kampl Will Need to Hit the Ground Running
Klopp will be excited about all aspects of Saturday's game, but the German coach will have a certain gleam in his eye for the debut of new signing Kevin Kampl.
Although the young midfielder has plenty of promise for years to come, the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ciro Immobile have all shown Dortmund fans how disastrous a troubled start at the club can really be.
Plenty of promise has been piled on the shoulders of this young Slovenia international, and should he slip up at the first hurdle, it may cause some trouble for Klopp's sided.
Bellarabi and Kiessling Will Cherish a Troubled Dortmund Defense
Bayer have looked solid this season, and one of their strongest assets has been their ability to score goals and batter teams into submission.
According to WhoScored, lone striker Stefan Kiessling has three goals and three assists, while right winger and breakthrough star Karim Bellarabi has managed to bag eight goals and two assists.
Such prowess in front of goal would worry any defence, but none more so than a Dortmund back line that has struggled at times this season. Should Bayer play to their strengths on Saturday, we can almost certainly expect goals.