Confirmed Lineups: Mainz 05 vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach
| Mainz's interim coach | Mika Volkmann/Getty Images for DFB |
Mainz host Borussia Mönchengladbach in the opening fixture of matchday 13 in Bundesliga. The hosts will start the game at the bottom of the standings, while Gladbach came from a DFB-Pokal exit at home against St. Pauli. Benjamin Hoffmann will make his debut as Mainz's caretaker coach after they parted ways with Bo Henriksen.
Mainz’s long-serving shot-stopper Robin Zentner is still out with an injury, while midfielders Dominik Kohr and Paul Nebel will not be back before the final game of the year against St. Pauli due to a three-game suspension. Nelson Weiper starts up front for the first time since the matchday 3 defeat to Leipzig.
Jens Castrop missed Gladbach’s unexpected cup defeat due to illness, but he’s immediately back for the Bundesliga clash. Tim Kleindienst faced another injury setback after a few appearances off the bench, while Florian Neuhaus and Franck Honorat will miss the game.
Confirmed Lineups
Mainz: Batz; da Costa, Leitsch, Hanche-Olsen; Widmer ©, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Lee, Moreno Fell; Weiper
Gladbach: Nicolas; Scally, Elvedi, Diks; Castrop, Engelhardt, Netz; Reitz ©, Reyna; Tabakovic, Machino
