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For the first time in arguably five years, we're looking forward to an unpredictable and iffy Der Klassiker. Borussia Dortmund's rabble-raising start to the campaign has laid down an early season marker and threatens to upset the applecart in the Bundesliga.
Couple that with Bayern Munich's inconsistent run in the league, this is also a first in a while where the odds are stacked against them rather than in their favour and the BVB are above their mighty rivals.
Dortmund's prolific attack has been the driving factor behind the successful beginning, plundering a mammoth 30 goals in 10 games and conceding only 10. Moreover, they're the only side in the league still unbeaten!
The Bavarians, contrastingly, are still struggling to find their feet under Kovac who's already feeling the heat after an unconvincing run that's yielded only two victories in the last six league games. Another setback at the Signal Iduna Park could open up a seven point deficit at the top of the table.
So it's a daunting Dortmund against a desperate Bayern: sounds interesting, for a change.
Here's how the teams stack up in a combined XI ahead of Der Klassiker: (4-4-2 diamond)
Goalkeeper: Roman Burki
Manuel Neuer might be one of the greatest goalkeepers of this generation, but Roman Burki is thriving in a better vein of form currently. The Swiss shotstopper averages three saves per game compared to Neuer's one, whereas he also boasts four cleansheets compared to the latter's three.
Burki has clearly been the busier of the two, but more importantly, he has stepped up to the plate for the Yellow Submarine and would have to replicate those heroics again in what's set to be his toughest test this season so far.
Right-back: Joshua Kimmich
The Bayern fullback was the toast of the town last season, scoring six times but assisting a staggering 16 goals in all competitions, 12 of which came in the league. And even if he failed to replicate those heroics in Germany's catastrophic World Cup campaign, Kimmich is getting back to his best in the new season with three assists registered already.
It would be an interesting duel between him and Hakimi down this flank and the better of the two that evening could significantly impact the proceedings.
Centre-back: Manuel Akanji
Roped in for a sizable $18 million from Basel in the winter transfer last season, Akanji is starting to proving to be a bang for the buck this term with his commanding presence at the back. He's a reckoning force, never holding back from lunging into tackles and also charging out of his area to push his team forward.
The 23-year old's impeccable vision has also seen him average an impressive 4.4 clearances per game, while his strike against Nurnberg last month also gave a glimpse of his offensive instincts.
Centre-back: Matts Hummels
Former Borussia Dortmund skipper has offered no great shakes so far this season, but remains a key figure at the heart of Bayern's backline. He has been used sparingly by Niko Kovac so far, starting him in only five games though Hummels is primed to start on Saturday.
He averages 2.4 tackles and almost 2 interceptions per game, while an absurd 4.8 aerial duel success is a testament to his aerial prowess, and could be crucial to nip airborne threats.
Left-back: Achraf Hakimi
Squelched by the limited opportunities at Real Madrid, Hakimi has breathed new life at Dortmund. With six assists in all competitions, he's proving to be instrumental in the attack, adding an extra edge from the flanks with his youthfulness and incredible burst of speed.
And given Bayern's ageing squad, players like him can be an effective counterpoint and wreak havoc from the wings.
Defensive midfielder: Alex Witsel
Following an indifferent spell in China with Tianjin Quanjin, Witsel quietly returned to Europe this summer and just three months into the new campaign, has established himself in Favre's Dortmund set-up.
He's forged a solid pairing with Thomas Delaney at the base of the midfield and also proved to be an excellent protective cover for the back four. The Belgian also boasts a 92% pass success rate. He's the battering ram that will be tasked with the undoing of the visitors.
Right winger: Arjen Robben
In just over two months from now, Robben would be 35. But its a testament to his longevity and durability that he continues to be an important cog in Bayern's wheel. The Dutchman has scored thrice and having been sent off against Wolfsburg, is set to return to the fold at the weekend.
He's had tremendous success over Dortmund over the years, and with 11 goals and five assists in 19 Klassikers, they are his favourite opponent.
Attacking midfielder: Marco Reus
With James Rodriguez yet to hit the heights of last season, Reus finds himself in the Colombian's shoes of 2017/18, having started off to a flyer with six goals and five assists in only 10 games. The Dortmund skipper has taken to his new responsibilities with aplomb and also maintained a clean bill of health so far.
He's a Klassiker veteran, having played in 17 fixtures since 2012 and also scoring five times. Reus would have to muster every ounce of his experience and recent vein of form to have an impact in his first league meeting with Bayern since 2016.
Left winger: Jadon Sancho
Paco Alcacer isn't the only Dortmund player scripting a fascinating story, for Jadon Sancho has been making waves all across. The 18-year old Englishman has assisted six times - the highest in the division - to become a creative inspiration for his team, whilst also striking four times in the process.
His precocious talent also earned him his first England call-up last month, and could be a catalyst in Dortmund's victory on Saturday.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski
The Polish hitman has struck 13 times this season for Bayern already, but only five of them have come in the league. His struggles upfront have coincided with the team's stuttering start to the new season, but boasts an impeccable record against his former side, having netted 10 times in 15 games since the swap including an amazing hattrick last time out.
He has time and again come up with the goods for the Bavarians and would naturally be a huge factor in the Der Klassiker.
Striker: Paco Alcacer
Alcacer returned to the fold in the midweek Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid from an injury, and although he couldn't do much, his barnstorming start to life at Dortmund has taken the league by storm. Seven goals from five games has succored the Yellow Submarine claim pole position in Bundesliga. And remember, almost all of his strikes have come from the bench.
So manager Lucien Favre can once again opt to use him as a trump card by throwing him late on, else start him to shackle Bayern from the beginning. Either way, Alcacer's debut appearance in the Der Klassiker would be worth keeping an eye on.
