Following a six-week winter hiatus, the Bundesliga will resume this weekend.
Fittingly, champions and leaders Bayern Munich feature in the opening match on Friday evening as they travel to the Volkswagen Arena for a clash with second-placed Wolfsburg.
Yet, despite these sides being Germany's top two clubs at present, this encounter will not be viewed as a crucial encounter with regards to the destination of the title. After all, were the hosts to triumph, they would still find themselves eight points adrift of their visitors.
Ever since Pep Guardiola took charge of Bayern during the summer of 2013, he has to contend with a host of injuries. However, heading into this clash, the Spaniard should be without just three senior players.
Philipp Lahm, Javi Martinez and Thiago Alcantara remain sidelined, but Bastian Schweinsteiger has recovered from an ankle complaint, while centre-back Mehdi Benatia has overcome a back problem that he picked up during the team's winter training stint in Qatar.
Further back, fresh from finishing third in the running for the Ballon d'Or, Manuel Neuer, who has conceded just four goals in 17 Bundesliga outings this term, will keep goal.
As for Wolfsburg, this will be their first competitive fixture since the death of 20-year-old winger Junior Malanda in a car crash.
In terms of team selection, Ivan Perisic, Naldo and Josuha Guilavogui have been carrying knocks, but all could feature against Guardiola's men.
Wolfsburg, who spent part of the break in South Africa, are without a victory in their last 13 meetings with Bayern, 12 of which have been won by the Bavarians.
Earlier in the season, goals from Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller secured a 2-1 win for Bayern over Dieter Hecking's side in the Allianz Arena.
Wolfsburg:
Form in Bundesliga: LWWDDW
Form in all competitions: DDWWWW
Possible starting lineup: Benaglio; Jung, Naldo, Knoche, Rodriguez; Guilavogui, Gustavo; De Bruyne, Perisic, Vieirinha; Olic
Bayern Munich:
Form in Bundesliga: WWWWWW
Form in all competitions: WWWWWW
Possible starting lineup: Neuer; Alaba, Boateng, Dante, Rafinha; Alonso, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Ribery, Robben, Lewandowski
Sports Mole says: 1-2
Liam Apicella
