Overview: Borussia Dortmund will be seeking to make it three in a row as they travel to Mewa Arena on Saturday for the hosting of Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga matchday 10 encounter. Fifth-placed and with 16 points, BVB comes into this tie fresh from a 2-1 win over RB Leipzig, while Mainz, who are 13th with 10 points, will look to an improved league standing after a goalless draw with Freiburg.
Match Preview
Mainz 05 struggled in the final third against Freiburg, recording only two shots on target in the match, both within a brief eight-minute span in the second half. Although positioned 13th, they sit just two points above Hoffenheim in the relegation playoff spot, highlighting the necessity for more consistent performances. However, mainz improved compared to last season, with 10 points from nine games being a serious upgrade on the three points at this stage in 2023-24.
Mainz’s season has been underlined with a strong defensive record, good for seventh-best in the Bundesliga, though the offense has lagged, making them one of the five worst-scoring teams in the league. Their recent form has included two straight draws, a win, two losses, and three goalless matches. Their performance at home has been underpar, where they have lost three and never won in the last five Bundesliga matches at Mewa Arena.
Meanwhile, Dortmund comes into this match buoyed by their just earned Champions League victory over Sturm Graz. Although still injured and off of a couple poor defeats of late, Dortmund defeated Leipzig 2-1 to become the first team this season to defeat the Saxons in domestic play. In their last Bundesliga outing, they were clearly in control, creating 20 shots and fashioning six big scoring chances.
However, this is indeed a concern for BVB as they have lost the last five away with 15 goals conceded in those matches. They will need to change things as they just can’t afford to drop points here if they want to continue with the winning momentum built in the last two weeks.
Form Guide
Mainz 05 Bundesliga form: WLWLDD
Mainz 05 all competitions: LWLDLD
Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga form: LWLWLW
Borussia Dortmund all competitions: WLLLWW
Team News
Mainz will be without central defenders Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Moritz Jenz until late November, but otherwise are healthy. Looking to play with a three-man backline, Mainz’s defence could include Dominik Kohr, Stefan Bell and Maxim Leitsch with Robin Zentner in the net. Kaishu Sano and Nadiem Amiri are likely to be fielded in the double pivot role in midfield, while Jonathan Burkardt, Paul Nebel and Jae-sung Lee will be the forwards.
Key absentees for Dortmund will include defenders Julian Ryerson, Yan Couto, Niklas Sule, and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. Dim options going forward include Karim Adeyemi, Giovanni Reyna, and Julien Duranville. Incoming into midfield comes Marcel Sabitzer, starting in midfield with Felix Nmecha. Absences at the back could see midfielders Pascal Gross and Emre Can deputise in defense, while Serhou Guirassy is expected to start up front, supported by Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Maximilian Beier.
Probable Lineups
Mainz 05: Zentner; Kohr, Bell, Leitsch; Caci, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Nebel, Lee; Burkardt
Borussia Dortmund: Meyer; Gross, Can, Anton, Schlotterbeck; Nmecha, Sabitzer; Beier, Brandt, Gittens; Guirassy
Prediction Considering Dortmund’s recent away struggles and defensive lineup concerns, Mainz has a great chance to capitalize on these facts and secure a 2-1 home win against a vulnerable Dortmund side.
