The Borussia Dortmund U23s' mid-season preparations that followed the brief winter break went exceptionally well, with the Black & Yellows winning their friendlies against Dutch top-flight outfit Go Ahead Eagles (2-1) and Regionalliga club Alemannia Aachen (4-0). BVB head coach Enrico Maassen spoke of a "decent preparation period", which will be put to the test when they resume competitive action for the first time this year on Monday. Borussia will be away to Waldhof Mannheim at 19:00 CET.

The hosts have had a strong season, picking up 34 points from 20 matches and knocking on the door of the promotion places. Coach Patrick Glöckner's charges are in fourth place. In Dominik Martinovic, who already has 10 goals, SVW have one of the most dangerous centre-forwards in their ranks. His team-mates include former BVB player Joseph Boyamba and veteran Marc Schnatterer. On Monday, they will definitely be without Marco Höger, a former Bundesliga player, and regulars Niklas Wilson-Sommer und Adrian Lebeau. The trio will miss out through suspension.

The reverse fixture at Stadion Rote Erde ended in a 1-1 draw. The BVB goal was scored by Marco Pasalic, who is currently working towards his comeback. He will not be available to the Black & Yellows for the return fixture, nor will the injured Luca Unbehaun or the suspended Richmond Tachie.

BVB head into the New Year in seventh place, four points adrift of Mannheim. They have signed attacking player Justin Njinmah from Werder Bremen, who has already scored for the first time in the friendly against Alemannia Aachen. Meanwhile, Florian Krebs (FC Honka Espoo), Maik Amedick (SC Wiedenbrück) and Leon Klußmann (FC Kray) left the club during the winter break. Borussia Dortmund wish the trio every success at their new clubs.