On Saturday afternoon (14:00 CET at Stadion Rote Erde), our reserves will take on the current high-flyers of the Regionalliga West: table-toppers SV Rödinghausen will be the visitors to the Strobelallee.

The East Westphalians have picked up an impressive 19 points in their eight games to date, losing only once – to Alemannia Aachen a fortnight ago. Enrico Maaßen's charges recorded an eye-catching 5-1 away victory over TuS Haltern last time out, and edged a close-fought game 1-0 last time they visited Stadion Rote Erde.

Our U23s will be brimming with confidence ahead of that meeting, having closed the gap to the teams above them thanks to three successive victories in recent weeks – most recently against FC Cologne. BVB coach Mike Tullberg is expecting an intensive match against "a robust men's team with lots of experience". The Dortmund tactician continued: "We'll need to try to keep the ball on the ground. In footballing terms, we're one of the strongest teams in the league and I hope that'll be in evidence on Saturday."

The match against Rödinghausen on Saturday will be the first time the Black & Yellows have taken on one of the title favourites since travelling away to RW Essen in July. But Tullberg remains confident: "We have nothing to fear. I'm extremely satisfied with the progress the lads have made to date."