7M - Match Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs. Mainz 05 - Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Two of the Bundesliga's in-form teams are set to meet at Signal Iduna Park on Friday, as title challengers Borussia Dortmund host Mainz 05.

Dortmund aims to secure their sixth consecutive league victory, while Mainz seeks their fifth win in six matches.

Match Overview

Under the management of Niko Kovac, Borussia Dortmund has shown impressive consistency, allowing them to apply pressure on leaders Bayern Munich. After defeating Wolfsburg 2-1 last Saturday, with a late winner from Serhou Guirassy following Konstantinos Koulierakis' equalizer, Dortmund is second in the table, just six points behind Bayern.

With 13 matches left in the season, Dortmund will look to close the gap before Bayern faces Werder Bremen on Saturday. The team remains unbeaten at home in the Bundesliga and boasts the highest number of league clean sheets at 10, although they will be without suspended defender Nico Schlotterbeck.

On the other hand, Mainz 05 has seen a transformation under coach Urs Fischer. Last time out, they secured a 2-0 victory against Augsburg, with both goals coming from penalties by Nadiem Amiri. This win marks Mainz's third consecutive triumph and places them in a better position, having lost only once under their new manager.

Currently sitting 14th in the league, Mainz is two points clear of the relegation zone and only two points away from 10th-placed FC Koln. However, they will need to address their poor away form, having won just once in their last 10 away games, with six losses and three draws.

Potential Lineups

Borussia Dortmund (Possible Starting XI):
Kobel; Sule, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Brandt, Beier; Guirassy

Mainz 05 (Possible Starting XI):
Batz; Posch, Bell, Kohr; Da Costa, Lee, Sano, Amiri, Widmer; Silas, Tietz

Our Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Mainz 05

Dortmund is in exceptional form, and the opportunity to apply pressure on Bayern will further motivate them on Friday. Despite Mainz's overall improvement under Fischer, their struggles on the road may lead to just their second defeat since he took charge.