In an important Bundesliga match, Mainz 05 will host Borussia Dortmund at the Opel Arena on Saturday.
Both teams have different goals, with Mainz battling for survival while Borussia Dortmund aims to maintain their strong form after qualifying for the Champions League final.
Match Preview
Mainz 05 is currently in the relegation playoff spot in the Bundesliga standings, with Union Berlin just one point ahead and Bochum holding a four-point lead.
Despite the challenges they face, Mainz has shown resilience in recent weeks, remaining undefeated in their last eight matches after a heavy 8-1 loss to Bayern Munich two months ago.
However, they have struggled to turn draws into wins, with their last three matches ending in stalemates, including a hard-fought encounter against Heidenheim, where they salvaged a point after conceding the opening goal.
On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund enters this fixture with confidence after impressive performances in the Champions League, particularly against PSG.
In their recent Bundesliga match against Augsburg, Dortmund secured a convincing 5-1 victory, with Marco Reus making significant contributions on the scoresheet.
Dortmund has lost just one of their last four away games in the Bundesliga, highlighting their strength on the road.
Head-to-Head:
Borussia Dortmund has dominated Mainz in their recent meetings, winning their last six away matches in the league.
Team News & Updates:
Mainz may be missing Jessic Ngankam and Karim Onisiwo due to doubts, while Maxim Leitsch and Stefan Bell are sidelined with injuries, and Philippe Mwene is suspended.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund face late assessment for the fitness of Julian Ryerson and Julien Duranville, while Ramy Bensebaini will be unavailable due to injury.
Prediction & Analysis:
Anticipate an enthralling contest with Borussia Dortmund likely to emerge victorious against Mainz, with over 2.5 goals scored.
- Mainz 1-3 Borussia Dortmund
