Bundesliga Preview: Borussia Dortmund host bottom club Mainz 05
By Tushar Bahl
Team News
Borussia Dortmund suffered a major injury blow last Saturday after Axel Witsel went off with a torn achilles tendon. The Belgian international had surgery earlier this week and will now be out for the next few months. It is highly unlikely that he will play again this season. Thorgan Hazard and Marcel Schmelzer also remain out for the Black and Yellows.
But Jude Bellingham should return to the squad after missing the last two games with a foot injury. Mahmoud Dahoud, Felix Passlack and Reinier Jesus will also be hoping to make the squad.
Emre Can and Thomas Delaney will have to be careful on Saturday, as they are both just one yellow card away from a one-game suspension. And with games against Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach coming up, Dortmund cannot afford to lose them through suspension.
Mainz will have to make do without Pierre Kunde (knee) and Edimilson Fernandes (COVID-19).
Expected Starting XIs
Borussia Dortmund: Bürki – Meunier, Akanji, Hummels, Guerreiro – Can, Delaney – Sancho, Reus, Reyna – Haaland
Mainz 05: Zentner – Brosinski, St. Juste, Hack, Niakhaté – Latza, Barreiro – Burkardt, Stöger, Boetius – Mateta