Sule, Niklas
Onisiwo, Karim
Signal Iduna Park will hold its breath in anticipation as Borussia Dortmund readies itself on the final matchday for their first Bundesliga title since 2011–12 when they face Mainz this Saturday.
After a decade-long dominance, Bayern Munich will not regain control over their narrative on the final day of this campaign. An unfamiliar crumble has plagued this season for the Bavarians in an underwhelming fashion.
To the credit of Edin Terzić and his formidable Dortmund side, they maintain a two-point advantage over their Der Klassiker rivals in 2nd place. Die Borussen has remained mentally strong, and persistent despite the pressure to perform. They have won four of their last five Bundesliga games, scoring 19 goals- in the process.
The Black and Yellows had players like Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland in their ranks, yet somehow they always came up short when needed to produce results under pressure. However, with a much-inexperienced side, BVB has finally established itself contrary to the disbelief of any such predictable achievement at the start of this season around North Rhine-Westphalia.
Having the best home record to themselves, BVB will feel particularly optimistic about their chances to clinch the title. It would only be a testament to their sheer willpower to chase a nine-point gap against Bayern since game week 15.
Can Mainz spoil the party? Historically, it's difficult as Mainz has managed to win against Dortmund only once in their last nine league matches. Also, considering their recent form, maybe not because they have been abysmal.
Winning one and losing four consecutive games, they are lucky to exist within the top half of the table on 9th with 45 points. Losing against Schalke 04 or VfB Stuttgart recently has revealed that the side needs to catch a break to reassess themselves and rework their fundamentals.
It's hard to imagine that this side was on an impressive ten-game unbeaten run a few months ago. Bo Svensson's side can now only jump from 9th to 8th place because Eintracht Frankfurt is two points ahead.
The hosts remain without Thomas Meunier (adductor) and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (shoulder), while Raphaël Guerreiro has suffered a knock and remains doubtful for Saturday. Jude Bellingham returns to the squad, having recovered from his knee injury.
The visitors will miss having Jonathan Burkardt (knee), Alexander Hack (groin), Silvan Widmer (ankle), and Maxim Leitsch (fitness) for their sidelined status. Forward Ludovic Ajorque has to sit this one out due to his suspension over an accumulation of too many yellow cards. Defender Andreas Hanche-Olsen returns from his suspension.
Football fans around the U.K. can catch every action live on Sky Sports Mix.
Expert Insight: Dortmund is desperate to finish their job and celebrate. Though Mainz can cause an upset, with no real threat of failing to do otherwise- it makes them all the more dangerous. The hosts might want to claim dominance in the first half to sit back and see the game through in the latter stages. If Mainz somehow manages to find an opportunity of drawing this, whatever happens in Bayern's clash against Koln will decide the Bundesliga title.
Bundesliga