Two in-form teams will face each other in the Bundesliga when Borussia Dortmund welcome Mainz on Friday night.

Signal Iduna Park hosts a meeting between two sides riding strong waves of momentum on Friday night, as Borussia Dortmund look to sustain their title push against a Mainz side rejuvenated under new leadership.

Borussia Dortmund’s resurgence has altered the complexion of the Bundesliga title race. Once seemingly destined to trail Bayern Munich from a distance yet again, Niko Kovač’s team have built a run of consistency that has dragged them firmly back into contention. Their late 2–1 victory away at Wolfsburg last weekend encapsulated that shift in mentality. After Julian Brandt’s opener was cancelled out by Konstantinos Koulierakis, it was Serhou Guirassy who delivered the decisive blow late on, reinforcing Dortmund’s growing reputation for finding solutions in tight moments.

That win leaves Dortmund second in the table, six points behind Bayern with 13 matches remaining. Victory on Friday would temporarily halve that deficit and intensify pressure on the league leaders ahead of their own weekend fixture. Confidence is further buoyed by Dortmund’s formidable home record, they remain unbeaten at Signal Iduna Park in Bundesliga action this season.

Defensive solidity has also underpinned their progress. Dortmund’s 10 league clean sheets represent the highest tally in the division, though Friday’s test arrives without the suspended Nico Schlotterbeck, a key figure in their back line whose absence could slightly alter their balance.

Mainz, meanwhile, arrive transformed. Since Urs Fischer took charge, Die Nullfünfer have shed their early-season fragility and emerged as one of the league’s most resilient outfits. Last weekend’s 2–0 victory over Augsburg, secured by a brace of penalties from Nadiem Amiri, extended an impressive sequence of results.

Under Fischer, Mainz have suffered just one defeat in all competitions, recording five wins and four draws. That upturn has lifted them clear of the relegation zone, placing them 14th, two points above the playoff spot and within touching distance of mid-table.

However, their away form remains a concern. Despite their overall improvement, Mainz have won only one of their 10 Bundesliga road games this season, losing six and drawing three. That record presents a stark contrast to Dortmund’s home strength and highlights the scale of the challenge awaiting them in front of the Yellow Wall.

This fixture brings together Dortmund’s title aspirations and Mainz’s survival drive, two motivations that often produce compelling contests. While the visitors’ organisation under Fischer should ensure competitiveness, Dortmund’s attacking edge and home authority position them as favourites. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.

Team News & Tactics

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund will have to navigate a few defensive and midfield absences for Friday’s clash. Nico Schlotterbeck is suspended after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season against Wolfsburg, removing a key organiser from the back line. Filippo Calixte Mané remains unavailable through injury, while Emre Can is also likely to miss out, further limiting options in defence and midfield. On the right flank, Yan Couto is a doubt due to illness and will be assessed ahead of kick-off.

In midfield, Marcel Sabitzer is racing against time to recover from a calf problem and could yet feature, though his availability remains uncertain. Should he fail to make the starting XI, Jobe Bellingham and Felix Nmecha are expected to continue in central roles. Further forward, Karim Adeyemi is nearing a return from an ankle injury but may not be ready to start, meaning Dortmund’s attacking support behind the striker is likely to remain unchanged.

Tactically, Dortmund are expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation. Gregor Kobel should start in goal. In the absence of Schlotterbeck, the back three is likely to consist of Niklas Süle on the right, Waldemar Anton centrally, and Ramy Bensebaini on the left. The wing-back roles should be filled by Julian Ryerson on the right and Daniel Svensson on the left, providing width and defensive coverage, particularly if Couto is unavailable.

In central midfield, Jobe Bellingham and Felix Nmecha are expected to form the double pivot, combining energy with ball progression. Ahead of them, Julian Brandt and Maximilian Beier should operate as the two advanced playmakers, linking midfield to attack and supporting the lone striker.

Leading the line, Serhou Guirassy is expected to start as Dortmund’s central forward, tasked with finishing chances and occupying Mainz’s defensive structure.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Sule, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Brandt, Beier; Guirassy

1.FSV Mainz 05

Mainz continue to contend with a handful of injury setbacks heading into Friday’s trip to Dortmund. First-choice goalkeeper Robin Zentner remains sidelined following the groin injury he sustained in November, while centre-back Maxim Dal is still working his way back to full fitness after an ACL problem.

On the flanks, Anthony Caci is unavailable due to a hamstring issue, and Lennard Maloney is also set to miss out after falling ill. In attack, Benedict Hollerbach has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an Achilles injury, while Armindo Sieb (illness) and Sota Kawasaki (muscle issue) are both doubts. There are no suspension concerns for Urs Fischer’s side.

Given those absences, Mainz are expected to rely on experience and structure. Daniel Batz is set to continue in goal in Zentner’s absence. Ahead of him, the defensive trio is likely to feature Stefan Posch on the right, Stefan Bell centrally, and Dominik Kohr on the left, providing stability and physicality at the back.

From a tactical standpoint, Mainz are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation. Danny da Costa should operate as the right wing-back, with Silvan Widmer on the left, offering width and support in both phases. In central midfield, Jae-Sung Lee, Kaishu Sano, and Nadiem Amiri are likely to form the core trio, combining work rate, ball progression, and creative influence.

Up front, with Hollerbach unavailable and Sieb a doubt, Mainz are expected to deploy Phillip Tietz alongside Silas as a front two. Nadiem Amiri is also expected to push forward from midfield when possible, supporting attacks and linking play. This setup reflects Mainz’s need to remain compact while still carrying enough threat to trouble Dortmund on the counter.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Batz; Posch, Bell, Kohr; Da Costa, Lee, Sano, Amiri, Widmer; Silas, Tietz

Key Stats

• Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten at home in the Bundesliga this season, making Signal Iduna Park one of the toughest venues in the league.
• Dortmund have kept 10 clean sheets, the highest total in the Bundesliga so far this campaign.
• BVB are on a five-match winning streak in the league, with victory here potentially making it six in a row.
• Mainz have lost just once in all competitions since Urs Fischer took charge, winning five and drawing four in that period.
• Mainz have won only one of their 10 away Bundesliga matches this season.

Player to Watch

Serhou Guirassy

Embed from Getty Images

Serhou Guirassy has emerged as Borussia Dortmund’s most reliable match-winner in recent weeks, and his presence up front could once again prove decisive in Friday’s clash. The striker’s late winner against Wolfsburg last time out underlined his growing importance in high-pressure moments, a trait that separates consistent performers from genuine difference-makers.

Guirassy’s game blends physical authority with sharp movement inside the box. He is adept at pinning defenders, creating space for Dortmund’s attacking midfielders, and capitalising on the smallest openings. Against a Mainz defence likely to sit compactly, his ability to convert limited chances could be crucial.

Beyond finishing, Guirassy contributes to Dortmund’s overall attacking structure. His hold-up play allows runners like Julian Brandt and Maximilian Beier to operate between the lines, while his aerial presence makes him a constant threat from crosses and set-pieces.

With Dortmund chasing another win to maintain pressure in the title race, Guirassy is the player most likely to turn territorial dominance into goals, whether through instinctive finishing or sheer persistence in the penalty area.

Prediction

Borussia Dortmund 2-1 FSV Mainz 05

Mainz arrive in strong form and with renewed confidence under Urs Fischer, but their struggles away from home remain a major concern, especially against a Dortmund side that has turned Signal Iduna Park into a fortress this season.

Borussia Dortmund’s momentum, combined with their defensive solidity and attacking edge through players like Serhou Guirassy, should give them the upper hand. Mainz are likely to compete and remain organised, but sustaining resistance over 90 minutes against an in-form title challenger will be a tall order.