German football prepares for the biggest fixture of the season on Saturday evening as Bayern Munich entertain Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena.
However, this edition of the Bundesliga showpiece has a slight twist to it, with Dortmund languishing in the unfamiliar position of 16th in the table.
Usually Jurgen Klopp's men are hot on the heels of Bayern, who are four points clear at the top, but a run of six league games without a win has left them a huge 14 points adrift.
The Bavarians, meanwhile, are unbeaten in the league this season and have also put Europe on notice with some dominant performances in the Champions League.
They have not lost in any competition since defeat to Dortmund in the German Super Cup in August.
Klopp will be hoping that Marco Reus can inspire an upturn in fortunes now that he has had three games to regain match sharpness following his return from an ankle injury.
There are fears, though, that the highly-rated midfielder could be wearing Bayern colours when these two clash next season, with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admitting that the German champions maintain an interest in signing Reus.
Having made several changes to his lineup for their 3-0 DKB-Pokal victory over St Pauli, Klopp will likely revert to the majority of the side who suffered a fourth straight Bundesliga loss against Hannover.
Erik Durm has joined Nuri Sahin and Jakub Błaszczykowski in the treatment room, so Sokratis Papastathopoulos should fill in at left-back. Shinji Kagawa is in contention for a recall at the expense of Adrian Ramos.
Bayern, who also made comfortable cup progress in midweek, have doubts over the fitness of Arjen Robben, while Bastian Schweinsteiger, Holger Badstuba, Javi Martinez, Thiago Alcantara and Pepe Reina are out.
Fit-again Franck Ribery is pushing for a start following several bright cameos as a substitute, but Pep Guardiola may choose to stick with Thomas Muller in behind former Dortmund pair Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski.
Dortmund and Bayern have each won three of the last six meetings between the two sides.
Recent form
Bayern: WDWWWW
Dortmund: WLWLLW
Possible starting lineups
Bayern: Neuer; Benatia, Boateng, Alaba; Rafinha, Lahm, Alonso, Bernat; Muller, Gotze; Lewandowski
Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Sokratis; Bender, Gundogan; Mkhitaryan, Kagawa, Reus; Aubamayeng
Sports Mole says: 2-1
Joe Fish
