Borussia Dortmund were a big disappointment last season and they'll be looking to make more of an impact in this campaign, starting with a DFB Pokal win over Rot-Weiss Essen.
The Bundesliga giants were feeling pretty positive about themselves a year ago, having come within a whisker of winning the Champions League after losing to Real Madrid in the showpiece.
They made a decent enough start, winning four of their first five games, but couldn't build on that and had fallen to 11th place in the German top flight by the time Nico Kovac replaced Nuri Sahin in February.
Kovac did a superb job, masterminding a revival that saw Borussia eventually finish in fourth place, and he'll now be out to make a big impact in his first full season.
It would be a surprise if they slipped up in this cup tie, with Rot-Weiss Essen playing in the third tier of German football.
Essen have been a team in decline since their 1950s heyday but they now seem to be on the up again and will be hoping to claim a famous scalp.
How the bookies view it: No shock value
BoyleSports can't see a shock happening in this DFB Pokal tie as they make Borussia Dortmund 1/4 favourites. Rott-Weiss Essen are 15/2 outsiders and the draw pays 4/1.
Head to head: Dortmund unbeaten
These sides have faced off just nine times before and Borussia Dortmund have yet to taste defeat, with six wins and three draws. They last faced off in the DFB Pokal back in 2008, with the top-flight side winning 3-1 in Essen.
Players to watch: Guirassy a goal machine
Syehou Guirassy was on fire for Dortmund last term, with three goals at the Club World Cup taking his tally for the campaign to 38. He will be out to continue where he left off but I've yet to see any prices for scorer markets.
Jaka Cuber Potocnik should lead the line for Rot-Weiss Essen and the Cologne loanee will be out to catch the eye of his parent club by shooting down Dortmund.
Probable line-ups
Borussia Dortmund are still without crocked defensive duo Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Sule while veteran Emre Can and youngster Julien Duranville are doubts.
Marek Janssen and Nicolai Schulte-Kellinghaus look set to miss out for Rot-Weiss Essen.
Rott-Weiss Essen: Golz, Brumme, Kostka, Kraulich, Schulz, Bazzoli, Moustier, Arsian, Mizuta, Obuz, Potocnik.
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Anton, Bensebaini, Couto, Brandt, Bellingham, Sabitzer, Svensson, Ryerson, Guirassy, Adeyemi.
Anything else catch the eye?
Dortmund have been scoring pretty freely since Kovac's arrival and they should grab a few goals here if they can shake off the ring rust. Combining a Borussia win with over 3.5 goals pays 6/4 at BoyleSports and that looks decent.
With this being the first game of the season, it could take the Bundesliga giants a while to click into top gear. So backing most goals to come after the break could pay off at 10/11 with the same firm.
The corner markets are also worth a look as I'd imagine Dortmund will have most of the pressure. Backing Kovac's side for over 3.5 first-half corners represents good value at 6/5.
GambleAware