Borussia Monchengladbach could cut Bayern Munich's lead at the top of the Bundesliga to a single point if they beat them at home in Germany's match of the weekend on Sunday.
The Foals completed a perfect week for German clubs in Europe when they demolished Apollon Limassol 5-0 in the Europa League at Borussia Park on Thursday, rounding off a set of European games in which Bundesliga clubs won all six.
Monchengladbach's goals came from winger Ibrahima Traore (two), Branimir Hrgota, Patrick Hermann and Chelsea loanee Thorgan Hazard -- and the fans, looking ahead to Sunday, chanted: "Take the Lederhosen off the Bavarians."
Lucien Favre's side are second in the table, undefeated in their first eight games of the season, and currently sit four points behind Bayern.
"It's just a whole lot of fun right now," midfielder Granit Xhaka, who has been instrumental in their success in recent weeks, told reporters.
"But we need to remain realistic. It will be a different match against Bayern, a lot more difficult. But this season we have already shown just how strong we are with our fans behind us."
The match, with the two teams challenging at the top, provides a throwback to the 1970s when both dominated the league, with Gladbach picking up five titles and Bayern four between 1970 and 1980.
#INSERT type:image caption:High-flying Monchengladbach celebrate a goal by Max Kruse against Mainz. END#
"Of course we are ready. This will be a huge challenge for us," Swiss coach Favre said on Thursday.
Germany international Christoph Kramer, who missed the Limassol match with flu, added on Sky: "We are in a good shape, are a force at home and have a coach who always come up with a solution."
Bayern, meanwhile, have been running riot both domestically and in Europe, demolishing Roma 7-1 away from home in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters at a charity event on Thursday, Bayern attacker Thomas Muller said: "This is a top match. We are first, they are second. We want to extend our lead, and I think this match will provide the direction for the next weeks and the run of the league."
But Muller stressed that nobody should expect Bayern to stroll past another team, adding: "Football is a fast-moving business, and that's why we have to win on Sunday. It doesn't have to be another 7-1 -- a normal, an ordinary win would be fine with me."