Borussia Monchengladbach vs Mainz – News and Probable Lineups

Borussia Monchengladbach, currently without a manager, will host Mainz 05 at Borussia Park this Saturday, seeking their first points in the Bundesliga this season.

Die Fohlen aim to avoid their fourth straight defeat, while Die Nullfunfer hope to make a comeback after suffering their first loss in their last match.

Match overview

Gladbach made history by becoming the first Bundesliga club to terminate their manager on Sunday, parting ways with Eugen Polanski after a poor start to the 2026-27 campaign.

Consequently, former Mainz head coach Jan-Moritz Lichte will prepare his squad to face his ex-team, with a replacement expected to be named during the international break.

Polanski left his team sitting second from bottom in the Bundesliga standings without any points, having conceded 12 goals and netting just three in their first three matches.

This dismal streak commenced with a 3-0 loss to RB Leipzig, which was somewhat acceptable given the opponent; however, when Gladbach lost 4-3 to promoted side Elversberg on September 5, concerns were raised.

A week later, they suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Freiburg, concluding Polanski’s tenure at Borussia Park in disappointing fashion – a surprising turn of events considering that Die Fohlen had an impressive pre-season, including a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in August.

Eager to avoid another heavy defeat on Saturday, the home side will rely on the support of their fans at Borussia Park, where they were undefeated in their last seven home games last season, claiming four wins and three draws.

On the other hand, Urs Fischer’s Mainz have had a sharply contrasting start to the season, but will be eager to get back to winning ways following their setback in the previous game.

Die Nullfunfer routed Krieshchow 9-0 in the initial round of the DFB-Pokal on August 23, establishing a solid momentum, followed by a pair of clean sheets in their opening league games.

Fischer’s squad earned an outstanding 5-0 victory against Hamburgo SV on September 6, highlighting the offensive prowess of his players, with four different scorers contributing to the tally.

However, Mainz’s solid defense and attacking potency was absent in their last outing, where they lost 3-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt, falling behind 3-0 before scoring a late goal through Phillip Tietz.

Desiring to find their rhythm and to demonstrate that their last match was a one-off, Die Nullfunfer will take encouragement from the fact that they remain unbeaten in their past eight away fixtures in domestic competition, a run that includes six victories and two draws.

Team News

Gladbach’s challenges with injuries are worsened this weekend as striker Tim Kleindienst is suspended after receiving a red card against Freiburg, his absence compounded by that of right winger Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn, who is nursing a muscle injury.

In their stead, Isac Lidberg is anticipated to lead the attack on Saturday, flanked by Franck Honorat and Wael Mohya on the wings, while Hugo Bolin is expected to be deployed in the number 10 role, despite nursing a minor muscle complaint that resulted in him missing training earlier in the week.

Zento Uno is also out due to a muscle injury, joined by midfielder Enzo Leopold, who is on the road to recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, although Kevin Stoger and Philipp Sander are likely to form the midfield duo for the hosts.

Additionally, Die Fohlen are missing several defenders, including centre-back Daiki Hashioka (back), right-back Yukhym Konoplya (knee), and left wing-back Jens Castrop (shoulder).

In light of these absences, Ko Itakura and Kevin Diks may take up positions at centre-back, supported by full-backs Joseph Scally and Lukas Ullrich.

As for Mainz, they will be without centre-back Dominik Kohr (ankle) and right wing-back Silvan Widmer (knee), in addition to midfielders Eric Martel (knee) and Paul Nebel (groin).

That said, Kaishu Sano, Lee Jae-sung, and Nadiem Amiri will be available to start in the midfield, with defenders Stefan Posch, Fabio Gruber, and Kacper Potulski forming the backline.

At the forward position, striker Silas remains sidelined with a broken ankle, while Sheraldo Becker is expected to partner Phillip Tietz in the attacking role.

Borussia Monchengladbach probable starting XI:

Nicholas; Scally, Diks, Itakura, Ullrich; Stoger, Sander; Honorat, Bolin, Mohya; Lidberg

Mainz 05 probable starting XI:

Schwolow; Gruber, Potulski, Posch; Caci, Sano, Mwene; Amiri, Lee; Becker, Tietz

Gladbach has faced difficulties throughout the season’s outset, and after failing to score in two matches already, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them struggle yet again.

Mainz may have been defeated in their last match, but they will view this encounter against one of the weakest teams in the Bundesliga as a prime chance to return to winning ways.