Schalke 04 have the chance to build on their confident start to 2015 when they make the trip to the Commerzbank Arena to face Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
Roberto Di Matteo's side have returned from the winter break in fine form by claiming victories over Hannover 96 and Borussia Monchengladbach either side of an impressive draw with Bayern Munich.
The three results have taken Schalke up to third in Bundesliga, but they start the weekend just two points ahead of sixth-placed Bayer Leverkusen as the dramatic race for Champions League qualification continues.
Schalke's commitments in this season's Champions League does force Di Matteo into a difficult position as he considers resting players ahead of next Wednesday's last-16 tie with Real Madrid.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is already out of the clash with Frankfurt due to suspension, while Di Matteo could rest Kevin-Prince Boateng and Marco Hoger.
Frankfurt prepare for the match in very different form to their rivals having failed to win any of their previous six Bundesliga games either side of the winter break.
However, Thomas Schaaf will be boosted by his side's response from two goals down to hold Augsburg to a 2-2 draw last weekend, and that performance could see the hosts name an unchanged side.
When these two sides met in September, Boateng, Julian Draxler and Slobodan Medojevic were all sent off as four goals were shared in a thrilling draw.
Eintracht Frankfurt:
Recent form LDDLDD
Possible starting lineup: Trapp, Russ, Zambrano, Oczipka, Chandler, Bamba, Meier, Hasebe, Inui, Aigner, Seferovic
Schalke 04:
Recent form: LWDWDW
Possible starting lineup: Wellenreuther, Uchida, Fuchs, Howedes, Nastasic, Kirchoff, Matip, Barnetta, Aogo, Meyer, Choupo-Moting
Sports Mole says: 2-2
Callum Mulvihill
