5 hours ago
Robert Lewandowski is primed to return for Bayern Munich as the record champions chase the win that would seal a ninth successive Bundesliga title in Mainz on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm GMT+2).
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Few would have given Mainz a prayer of putting Bayern s celebrations on ice a few months back, but the 05ers have improved dramatically under the tutelage of former defender Bo Svensson. The Carnival club have picked up 25 points from a possible 45 under the Dane, compared to six from 14 before his arrival. They re unbeaten in six - winning their last two against lowly Cologne and Werder Bremen - and begin the weekend with a five-point cushion on the relegation play-off spot in 13th place. Adam Szalai is expected to retain his place after scoring his first Bundesliga goal in over a year against Bremen. Jonathan Burkardt could get the nod over Karim Onisiwo to partner the Hungary international in attack, but Danny da Costa is still unavailable on personal grounds. Daniel B
Bundesliga | Cologne vs Mainz: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!
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6 hours ago
Ritsu Doan is the main man tasked with unlocking Mainz s improving defence when Arminia Bielefeld travel for this relegation six-pointer on Saturday (kick-off: 2.30pm BST).
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Mainz hauled themselves out of the bottom three for the first time since Matchday 8 with a 2-1 victory at Hoffenheim prior to the international break as their resurgence under Bo Svensson continued. It was their second win on the spin and fifth from 12 games under the Danish coach, compared to one from 14 before the 41-year-old took charge. A third consecutive victory would give them breathing space from Bielefeld, putting five points between the teams. They were, however, sweating on the fitness of Danny da Costa whose January loan from Eintracht Frankfurt has coincided with those five subsequent league wins. He picked up a hamstring injury in Hoffenheim and was replaced by Daniel Brosinski, who would again be ready to step in again if needed.