Overview

• The Bundesliga match kicks off on 27 September at 15:30 at Mainz’s MEWA ARENA and will be shown live only on Sky via pay-TV and its streaming platforms.
• Niko Kovač stated that Nico Schlotterbeck will start for Dortmund after his 90‑minute return last week, with minutes likely managed given the busy schedule.
• Mainz lose regular defender Anthony Caci for several months with a muscle‑tendon injury and will also be without Dominik Kohr due to suspension.
• Dortmund could add Fábio Silva and Niklas Süle to the matchday squad pending fitness tests, while Aaron Anselmino, Emre Can and Julien Duranville remain out.
• Dortmund enter as early favorites after a strong start, though Kovač cautioned that Mainz pose a serious and hard‑running challenge.