Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Mainz Replay: Bundesliga 2022-23

5:00 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the Borussia Dortmund vs Mainz match in the Bundesliga 2022-23. The kick-off is just two hours away! I’m your host Sayantan, and I’ll be keeping you company through what promises a fascinating evening of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to lo

Borussia Dortmund have reached the final stage of the Bundesliga season and with a clear opportunity to win the Bundesliga after 2011, still in their hands. After Bayern Munich’s 3-1 loss at home to RB Leipzig, the Yellow Army can finally end their prolonged wait to get their hands on the Bundesliga trophy, with a win against Mainz. They were able to win 3-0 against Augsburg last weekend, after their rivals hand-dropped points, and now have established a two-point lead at the top with 70 points.

However, the final hurdle has always seemed a step too far for Dortmund in recent years, and this opportunity presents the third and final time Bayern have handed the initiative back to their rivals to pip them after the Bavarian side had previously lost 3-1 to Mainz and 2-1 to Leverkusen this season. Erin Terzic has been able to keep his side motivated to keep pushing and keep pace with the Bavarians and on Saturday can taste the fruit of a largely successful campaign, with a packed Signal Iduna Park roaring them over the line.

Bo Svenson has made his Mainz side a tactically well-structured team who don’t concede too many goals. Their streaky form has helped them survive in the Bundesliga for another season, where they’ve pulled off big upset wins against Bayern, Leipzig, Leverkusen, etc.

They looked set to make a final push for Europe next season after the upset 3-1 win over Bayern, on April 22, however, their form completely fell off, and have ended up losing four straight matches against Wolfsburg, Schalke, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart. They’ve become vulnerable and have conceded 13 goals in this period while scoring only 3 times, which is the opposite of how they looked a month ago. They can break Dortmund’s hearts on Saturday, however, given their recent form and Dortmund’s momentum, will be a monumental task to not end the season with another loss.

Borussia Dortmund form (All Competitions): W-W-W-D-W

Mainz form (All Competitions): L-L-L-L-W

Players to watch

Borussia Dortmund: Julian Brandt

The German midfielder has been very influential for Dortmund, helping his side mount a title chase in the Bundesliga. He’s a hand in nine goals & eight assists in the league this year. He was seen at his best in last weekend’s win at Augsburg, making well-timed runs behind the opponent’s high line and using his close control and creativity to find Sebastian Haller upfront. A similar circumstance might arise against Mainz and he’ll have to deliver one final time to taste Bundesliga glory and cap off a good individual and collective season.

Mainz: Marcus Ingvartsen

The Mainz attacking midfielder has been the only reliable goal-scorer for Bo Svenson in the league, who’s their top scorer with 10 goals. He was on the score sheet in the 4-1 loss at the hands of Stuttgart and he’ll have to pose a threat against Dortmund, particularly on counterattacks, where Dortmund have been found vulnerable.

Match facts

• Marco Reus, who can win his first Bundesliga title at the age of 34, has scored more goals against Mainz than any team he’s faced (14).
• Mainz have avoided defeat on three of their last five trips to Dortmund (W2, D1).

Injury and team news.

Ajorque (suspended), Burkardt (knee), Hack (groin), Leitsch (match fitness), Widmer (ankle) are all doubtful for the clash against Dortmund.

Bynoe-Gittens (shoulder), Coulibaly (international duty), Bellingham(knee), and Meunier (adductor) are the players who’ll miss out for Dortmund.

Head-to-Head stats

Matches: 27

Borussia Dortmund: 19

Mainz: 4

Draws: 4

Predicted lineups for Borussia Dortmund vs Mainz

Borussia Dortmund predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Kobel – Wolf, Süle, Hummels (c), Guierrero , Can, Brandt, Malen, Haller, Adeyemi

Mainz predicted lineup (3-4-2-1):

Dahmen, Bell, Kohr, Fernandes, Costa,Stach, Barreiro, Caci, Barkok, Ingvartsen, Onisiwo