Werder Bremen host Borussia Dortmund on Saturday as both sides bid to improve their recent form; Bremen to avoid having to look over their shoulders and Dortmund if they are to catch Bayer Leverkusen.
Since Werder's impressive 1-0 win over Bayer before the winter break they have taken just one point from six available since.
It means that the side with the second-worst goal difference in the Bundesliga are now just three points above the relegation playoff spot currently occupied by Freiburg.
Dortmund have won just once in their last five league games, which came last Friday in a battle against bottom side Eintracht Braunschweig.
They are four points behind Leverkusen and 17 off leaders Bayern Munich, which means that they must start winning more than they lose or their hopes for another title will vanish.
For the hosts, both Clemens Fritz and Mehmet Ekici are pushing for starts, while Jurgen Klopp will have to make do without another defender, this time Mats Hummels, who faces a fortnight on the sidelines.
Recent form
Bremen: DLLWDL
Dortmund: WLDLDW
Possible starting lineups
Bremen: Wolf; Garcia, Fritz, Prodl, Gebre Selassie; Elia, Kroos, Makiadi, Junuzovic; Hunt; Petersen
Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Grosskreutz, Sokratis, Friedrich, Schmelzer; Bender, Sahin; Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan, Reus; Lewandowski
Sports Mole says: 1-2
Matt Domm
