Mainz vs Borussia Dortmund preview: Schwarzgelben chase third straight win
Mainz
Die Nullfünfer struggled to generate chances in the attacking third during their match against Freiburg, managing just two shots on target, both of which came briefly between the 51st and 59th minutes.
Currently, Mainz is just two points above Hoffenheim who sit in 16th place and occupy the Bundesliga's relegation playoff position. However, the gap between Hoffenheim and eighth-placed Stuttgart is only five points, underscoring the tight competition in the standings.
Manager Bo Henriksen deserves credit, as his team has shown considerable improvement over last season's performance at this stage. By this point last season, they had amassed only three points from nine games, with six losses and three draws.
So far in the league, Mainz have scored 12 goals and conceded 13, ranking them joint fifth-lowest scoring team and seventh-strongest defensive team in the Bundesliga.
They have drawn their last two league matches, with a record of two losses, one win, and three scoreless outings in their last five.
At Mewa Arena, Mainz's form has dipped recently; they have suffered three defeats in their last five Bundesliga home games and remain winless in their past five league matches at home.
Team News
Mainz will be without centre-backs Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Moritz Jenz until late November but otherwise have a fit squad to choose from.
The hosts are expected to line up with a back three of Dominik Kohr, Stefan Bell, and Maxim Leitsch, shielding goalkeeper Robin Zentner. Kaishu Sano and Nadiem Amiri are likely to operate in a double-pivot role in midfield, while Jonathan Burkardt could lead the attack with support from Paul Nebel and Jae-sung Lee.
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund enter Saturday's matchup after securing a morale-boosting 1-0 Champions League victory over Sturm Graz on Tuesday.
Despite missing several key players and losing three of their last four games before facing Sturm Graz, Dortmund's win has lifted them to seventh place in the Champions League standings, securing an automatic qualification spot for now.
In their latest Bundesliga outing on November 2, Sahin's squad claimed a 2-1 victory over RB Leipzig, marking the first time this season that Leipzig has been defeated in domestic competition. Although Dortmund fell behind in the 27th minute, they maintained control throughout, firing 20 shots, creating six major scoring opportunities, and preventing Leipzig from generating any clear chances.
Before their recent back-to-back wins, Dortmund had lost three consecutive matches and have alternated between victories and defeats in their last six Bundesliga games, recording three wins and three losses.
Their away form, however, remains concerning, with five straight away defeats in which they’ve conceded 15 goals while scoring only five.
Team News
Dortmund face a series of injuries among key players. Defenders Julian Ryerson, Yan Couto, and Niklas Süle, along with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, remain sidelined. In attack, Karim Adeyemi, Giovanni Reyna, and Julien Duranville are also unavailable, although midfielder Marcel Sabitzer is fit to play again.
Felix Nmecha is expected to partner with Sabitzer in central midfield, with Pascal Groß and Emre Can likely to step into defensive roles out of necessity. Up front, Serhou Guirassy is set to be flanked by wingers Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Maximilian Beier.