Last season, the Dortmund comeback started on the now upcoming 16th matchday (while in 2022/23 it only got under way in the New Year). Then sixth in the table, BVB won 4-3 against FC Augsburg – and then in Mainz three days later. The Zero-Fivers have not scored a goal in their last three Bundesliga matches and have not won a league game away from home in more than eight months.

The scenario: Fifth vs. 17th. The Rhenish Hesse outfit have won only one of their 15 matches this season. BVB have tasted victory in each of their last six matches in Mainz, but have won only twice on home turf during the same timeframe.

Home/away: With 16 points from eight home games (five wins, one draw and two defeats), BVB sit fifth in the home table. Mainz might be unbeaten in five away games – their last loss on the road was a 2-1 in Augsburg at the end of September – but five away draws on the bounce mean they are “only” 13th in the away table. Only four clubs have picked up fewer points on their travels.

Head-to-head record: Borussia have conceded only 0.9 goals per game on average against Mainz – fewer than against any other current Bundesliga club. BVB have never lost against Mainz after taking a 1-0 lead (16 wins, five draws). Marco Reus has not scored more goals against any other team (14, same as against Bremen).

The biggest win: Goals from Ebi Smolarek, Jan Koller and Lars Ricken earned a 3-0 win in February 2005. In total, the Black & Yellows had 31 shots – a season record for all teams in 2004/05. (br)