In a crucial Bundesliga encounter, Mainz 05 is set to host Borussia Dortmund at the Opel Arena on Saturday.
Both teams have contrasting objectives, with Mainz fighting for survival while Borussia Dortmund aims to maintain their strong form after qualifying for the Champions League final.
Mainz 05 finds themselves in a precarious position in the Bundesliga standings, currently sitting in the relegation playoff spot.
Getting fired up for #M05BVB 🔥#Mainz05 pic.twitter.com/EScx2LDthv— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) May 8, 2024
Getting fired up for #M05BVB 🔥#Mainz05 pic.twitter.com/EScx2LDthv
However, they still have a chance to secure safety, with Union Berlin just one point ahead and Bochum holding a four-point lead.
Despite the circumstances stacked against them, Mainz has shown resilience in recent weeks, going undefeated in their last eight matches since suffering a heavy 8-1 defeat to Bayern Munich two months ago.
However, they have struggled to turn draws into wins, with their last three matches ending in stalemates.
The latest was a hard-fought encounter against Heidenheim, where they managed to salvage a point after conceding the opening goal.
Mainz has won just five of their last 37 league games, highlighting the challenges they face in their battle for survival.
On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund heads into this fixture with confidence after impressive performances in the Champions League, particularly against PSG.
In their most recent Bundesliga outing against Augsburg, Dortmund secured a convincing 5-1 victory, with Marco Reus making significant contributions on the scoresheet.
Despite Reus announcing his departure from the club at the end of the season, Dortmund remains focused on their domestic campaign, especially with a comfortable 15-point lead over sixth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.
Dortmund has lost just one of their last four away encounters in the Bundesliga, showcasing their strength on the road.
In terms of head-to-head encounters, Borussia Dortmund has dominated Mainz in their recent meetings, winning their last six away encounters in the league.
This trend suggests that Dortmund will be confident heading into this fixture and will look to continue their winning streak against Mainz.
Both teams will have some key absentees for the game. Mainz may be without Jessic Ngankam and Karim Onisiwo due to doubts, while Maxim Leitsch and Stefan Bell are sidelined with injuries, and Phillipp Mwene is suspended.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund will assess the fitness of Julian Ryerson and Julien Duranville, while Ramy Bensebaini will be unavailable due to injury.
Forebet predicts another thrilling win for Borussia Dortmund against Mainz, with over 2.5 goals scored. With both teams having different objectives, this matchup is sure to provide plenty of excitement for fans of the Bundesliga.