Borussia Dortmund are flying high right now. They have won six Bundesliga games in a row for the first time since March 2023 (8) and just picked up their biggest top-flight win of the campaign too.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to suggest that BVB are among the best and the most in-form sides in Europe's top five leagues right now. The stats clearly back it too.
But the next 10 days will be real test of their mettle, for Niko Kovac's side have a series of tough and treacherous fixtures coming up which could make or break their campaign.
Dortmund vs Atalanta, 18 Feb
The run begins with an all-important Champions League clash against Atalanta as the sides are vying for a place in the round of 16. Dortmund play hosts for the first leg next week and will be looking to take a signifcant lead at the Signal Iduna Park.
It's worth mentioning that Dortmund's run in the league phase ended in a whimper, losing 2-0 consecutively to Tottenham Hotspur (A) and Inter Milan (H) as the side finished a lowly 17th on the table.
RB Leipzig vs Dortmund, 21 Feb
Back on the league front, Dortmund have a daunting tip to the Red Bull Arena to negotiate next weekend as RB Leipzig welcome them in a fascinating battle of two talented sides.
The Red Bulls have uncharacteristically struggled this season, languishing in sixth place with only 39 points in the bag, 12 fewer than Dortmund, but boast a good head-to-head record.
In fact, Dortmund have lost four of their last six encounters with Leipzig, winning just once. Their last win away in Leipzig was in January 2021. A real banana skin, this.
Atalanta vs Dortmund, 25 Feb
The sides will renew hostilities for the second leg in Bergamo almost a week later as the game promises to be an exciting decider. If Dortmund would have secured a big lead in the first match, this would rather be a forgone conclusion.
We have a feeling that BVB could go all out in the first leg and kill the tie before taking their feet off the pedal in the second leg keeping the vital Der Klassiker showdown the following weekend in mind.
Dortmund vs Bayern, 28 Feb
The best and the most anticipated fixture of the lot, for this could decide the fate of the Bundesliga title. A win for Bayern would surely end all hopes for the Black and Yellows, who have already lost to them earlier this season at the Allianz Arena.
However, should Dortmund cause an upset and beat the Bavarians, it would set up a fascinating race to the finish line with only 10 games remaining into the season after this round. But history isn't on their side, with Dortmund winning just once in their last 15 clashes with Bayern.