Alright, let’s try this again. We’re only a little over two weeks removed from Dortmund’s last meeting with Bremen. What looked to be, for the most part, a deserved three points turned into one singular sour point in no more than five minutes, with BVB squandering a two-goal lead at home. It wasn’t Bremen’s first “Undertaker sit-up” in front of the yellow wall either. Knowing that the Pokal writes its own laws, I can only imagine what sort of foolishness Tuesday could have in store for us.

Spearheaded by a revitalized Niclas Füllkrug - in a very Dortmund kind of way - Bremen keep finding ways to avoid defeat. They currently sit in sixth place, undefeated since Matchday 2 (we won’t count the 7-0 friendly loss to Twente). However, aside from their Round 1 win over FC Hansa Lüneburg, they haven’t kept a single clean sheet this season (Gregor Kobel can’t relate). They’re a team that has found its groove under Daniel Thioune and are surely craving a little Pokal upset under the floodlights, having made it past the second round only once in the past five campaigns.

Die Schwarzgelben will continue to rely on their league-best defense and let the offense take care of itself. While it’s the supposed “minnows” that have given BVB problems in the past, they’ve proven that they have no issue deciding games late. It’s also worth mentioning how well Kovac has done in rotating the squad and managing everyone’s minutes. Whether it’s Silva, Jobe, Beier, or Chukwuemeka, all have gotten different opportunities at different times to invigorate deadlocked matches, and it wouldn’t surprise me if we see another surge deep into the second half against Werder.

AFP via Getty Images

AFP via Getty Images

The Ex-HSV captain has been a real impact signing for their Nordderby counterparts. He and fellow Dutchman Youri Regeer have developed a strong partnership in the middle of the park. Still only 26 years old, Reis has been under contract in Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium, but it’s in Germany that he has found real consistency and appreciation. Plus, as I’m sure Dortmund are now well aware, he has an eye for the occasional long shot.

Fabio Silva has cooled off a bit since the international break, and he never seems to start more than two games in a row. So, rewarding our dart-throwing matchwinner from Saturday seems like a logical adjustment. The same goes for Jobe and Nwaneri. Both were left out of the starting XI against Sabah and Frankfurt and could/should be due for more minutes this week. Kovac is usually pretty coy when it comes to lineup talk, but during the Frankfurt post-match press conference, he threw us a little bone by revealing that Gadou will start on Tuesday night.

Although I’ve loved the spark Carney has provided from the bench, I’m unsure if this is the game to start him again. Alex Meyer unfortunately has a cold, while Karetsas is still working his way back from his ankle injury.

Can Dortmund not let go of the rope this time? I think they controlled Bremen handily last time out, and then the fourth official held up the added time…

Even with all the extra travel in recent weeks, I think BVB will keep their quickest route to a title alive. I don’t think this match will see more than three goals.