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.
The importance of this match will not be lost on Bielefeld either, and they know that victory would see them leapfrog Mainz. That would firmly place the 05ers back in the heart of the relegation battle, while bolstering the visitors' own hopes of survival. Coach Frank Kramer picked up a first win in the job in their last away game - a 2-1 win at Bayer Leverkusen - and he will be relieved that Doan has recovered having missed recent Japan duty with a concussion he picked up in the 1-0 defeat to RB Leipzig. Kramer will definitely leave Amos Pieper behind after the Germany U21 centre-back picked up his fifth yellow card of the season last time out, with Mike van der Hoorn set to step into the heart of Bielefeld's defence.
Watch: Bielefeld grabbed all three points in these sides' last meeting
Match stats
Mainz are on a two-match winning streak for the first time this season and are out of the automatic relegation places for the first time in four months.
The 05ers are, however, the only side yet to beat one of the two promoted sides in Bielefeld and Stuttgart.
Mainz and Bielefeld are two of the top three teams in the Bundesliga for distance covered this season - only Union Berlin run more.
Doan leads the scoring charts for Bielefeld this season with four goals, one of which came in the earlier win over Mainz.
Bielefeld have taken 12 of a possible 15 points against the current bottom four teams in the Bundesliga this season. Mainz have won none against the same opposition.
Arminia have only scored two goals from outside of the area this season - both coming in the reverse fixture (a 2-1 win) against Mainz.
Probable line-ups
Mainz: Zentner - St. Juste, Bell, Niakhate (c) - da Costa, Barreiro, Kohr, Mwene - Boetius - Glatzel, Quaison
Out: -
Doubtful: Nebel (foot)
Coach: Bo Svensson
Bielefeld: Ortega - Brunner, Van der Hoorn, Nilsson, Laursen - Okugawa, Kunze, Prietl, Vlap - Doan, Klos (c)
Out: Pieper (suspended)
Doubtful: Maier (back), Schipplock (hand), Yabo (muscular)
Coach: Frank Kramer