Prior to the World Cup break, it looked as though Borussia Dortmund had spurned any realistic chances of winning the title. BVB had lost six of their opening 15 matches and went into the long winter break nine points adrift of Bayern and in sixth position in the table.
BVB and coach Edin Terzic seemingly drew the correct conclusions over the break, because the club have been unstoppable since the campaign resumed in January. All eight competitive games this year have ended in victory, with Dortmund through to the cup quarter-finals, well positioned to progress in the Champions League (1-0 win against Chelsea in the first leg) and having closed the nine-point gap in the Bundesliga. Dortmund are level on points with Bayern and Union Berlin at the very top of the table.
But one of the faces of their resurgence will be missing on Saturday. Karim Adeyemi, who did not register a goal involvement in the first half of the Bundesliga season, has three goals and two assists in five league games in the new year. But the Germany international injured himself against Hertha BSC and will not be available on Saturday. There will be several former TSG players travelling to the Kraichgau with BVB: Gregor Kobel, Niklas Süle, Felix Passlack and Anthony Modeste could all play a part for Borussia.
BVB will travel to Sinsheim brimming with confidence, but they will also know they cannot afford any slip-ups in a close title race. However, TSG need the points too – and have always delivered in decisive games against Dortmund.