Borussia Dortmund finally return from their winter break on Saturday with a trip to Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen, and there are big challenges ahead for Jurgen Klopp and his players.

The distraction of a lengthy break has seen European football supporters step away from the Dortmund debate, but Klopp's side will certainly be back in the headlines if they fail to hit top form in the second half of the season.

A disastrous first 17 games included 10 defeats for Dortmund, who currently sit in 17th spot, level on points with bottom club Freiburg.

In August they were once again tipped to be the main challengers to Bayern Munich, but surprisingly, the focus is on survival rather than titles heading into Saturday's tricky test.

Throughout the winter the club have been eager to dismiss any suggestions that Klopp could leave Signal Iduna Park, but the eccentric coach will be fully aware that the pressure is on him to produce a reaction.

The disappointing form has coincided with uncertainty surrounding the future of a number of key players, but the likes of Mats Hummels and Marco Reus remain Dortmund players for now at least.

Reus is expected to make his long-awaited return from an ankle injury against Leverkusen, but Klopp may avoid rushing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back into the team after his Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Gabon ended earlier this week.

Injuries are expected to keep Sebastian Kehl and Sven Bender out, while Mitchell Langerak is still at the Asian Cup with Australia.

Leverkusen currently sit in third place at the halfway stage, 17 points behind Bayern, but Roger Schmidt's side look on course to qualify for the Champions League once again.

However, just five points separate them from Eintracht Frankfurt in ninth place, and a positive result this weekend could be key as they look to put the pressure on second-placed Wolfsburg.

Goals from Karim Bellarabi and Stefan Kiessling on the opening day of the season handed Leverkusen a 2-0 victory over Dortmund, and both are expected to lead the charge for the hosts on Saturday.

The Asian Cup has also dealt a blow to Schmidt's plans for the match, with Robbie Kruse and Son Heung-min both preparing to play in Sunday's final between Australia and South Korea.

Bayer Leverkusen:

Form in Bundesliga: WWLDWD
Form in all competitions: WLDDWD

Possible starting lineup: Leno, Spahic, Toprak, Wendell, Jedvaj, Rolfes, Bender, Bellarabi, Calhanoglu, Kiessling, Drmic

Borussia Dortmund:

Form in Bundesliga: DLWLDL
Form in all competitions: LWDLDL

Possible starting lineup: Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Hummels, Subotic, Schmelzer, Sahin, Grosskreutz, Gundogan, Reus, Kampl, Ramos

Sports Mole says: 1-1