Watch here: https://flysporthd.com/live-sport/fsv-mainz-05-vs-borussia-dortmund-202411082345
Time & Venue
- Time: 14:30 GMT, Saturday, November 9
- Venue: MEWA Arena
Form
Mainz struggled to create many chances against Freiburg, managing just two shots on target between the 51st and 59th minutes. They are only two points above Hoffenheim, the team currently in the relegation playoff spot, while Hoffenheim is only five points behind Stuttgart, who sit eighth.
Under manager Bo Henriksen, Mainz has shown improvement over last season, picking up 3 points from their first nine games this season with six losses and three draws.
They have drawn their last two games in the Bundesliga, losing two and winning one of their previous three. They also failed to score in three of their last five games.
Mainz’s home form at MEWA Arena has been poor recently, with three losses in their last five Bundesliga home games and no wins in their last five home matches.
Meanwhile, Dortmund comes into this match after a confident 1-0 Champions League win over Sturm Graz on Tuesday.
Dortmund, under manager Nuri Sahin, recently became the first team to defeat RB Leipzig in the domestic league, winning 2-1 on November 2 in their latest Bundesliga game. After 9 rounds this season, Dortmund sits in fifth place.
Dortmund has lost three matches before securing their recent two wins, and they have three wins and three losses in their last six Bundesliga games. Their away form is concerning, with five straight away losses, conceding 15 goals while only scoring five.
Team News
Mainz
Center-backs Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Moritz Jenz will be out until the end of November, but the rest of the team remains healthy. Mainz may use a back three of Dominik Kohr, Stefan Bell, and Maxim Leitsch, in front of goalkeeper Robin Zentner.
Kaishu Sano and Nadiem Amiri are likely to pair up in central midfield, while Jonathan Burkardt could be supported by attackers Paul Nebel and Jae-sung Lee.
The visitors are struggling with several key players missing, including defenders Julian Ryerson, Yan Couto, and Niklas Sule, along with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Dortmund will also be without forwards Karim Adeyemi, Giovanni Reyna, and Julien Duranville, though midfielder Marcel Sabitzer is ready to return.
Felix Nmecha is likely to pair up with Sabitzer in midfield, while Pascal Gross and Emre Can may have to play in defense.
In attack, Serhou Guirassy is expected to play alongside Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Maximilian Beier on the wings.
Predicted Lineups
Mainz 05: Zentner; Kohr, Bell, Leitsch; Caci, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Nebel, Lee; Burkardt.
Dortmund: Meyer; Gross, Can, Anton, Schlotterbeck; Nmecha, Sabitzer; Beier, Brandt, Gittens; Guirassy.
Statistics
- Over 2.5 goals have been scored in Dortmund’s last 7 Bundesliga matches.
- Mainz 05 has seen over 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 home games against Dortmund across all competitions.
- Under 2.5 goals have been scored in Mainz 05’s last 3 Bundesliga matches.
Goal & Conceding Rates
Prediction
Dortmund has struggled away from home in recent weeks and may need to use midfielders in defense. Mainz has a good chance to capitalize on Dortmund’s vulnerabilities, and they could take advantage on Saturday.
Score Prediction: Mainz 2-1 Dortmund