Mainz vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Germany U21 captain Burkardt has been in excellent form of late, scoring in the last three Bundesliga games to return Mainz to winning ways and up to fifth in the table. The 05ers will move into the top four - at least overnight - with victory in this game. The fact Bo Svensson and his team have gone from 11th to fifth in only two weeks shows just how compact the standings are below the top three. The Dane - himself a former Gladbach defender - has found his formula for this season, now partnering Karim Onisiwo up top alongside Burkardt. The Austrian is up for the Player of the Month award following his October exploits. The only player missing is the fastest man in Bundesliga history, Jerry St. Juste. But captain Moussa Niakhate is back in the three-man defence after being rested for the 2-1 win at Armina Bielefeld last weekend.

When talking of excellent form in the Bundesliga, you can't avoid mentioning Scally as well. The 18-year-old American was recently described by Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl as "our player of the season so far", and he proved his case again last week. His assist for Alassane Plea was his first in the Bundesliga and paved the way for a 2-1 win over Bochum, backing up the historic 5-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the DFB Cup during the week. Scally has started all 12 competitive fixtures this season, often at wing-back, but is now set for a deeper role as injuries to centre-backs force Adi Hütter to revert to a four-man defence. It could very well see an unchanged team from last Sunday, with Breel Embolo up top ahead of Plea, captain Lars Stindl and four-goal top scorer Jonas Hofmann. However, Marcus Thuram is pushing for more playing time as he returns from injury.

Match stats

Germany U21 captain Burkardt has scored in three straight Bundesliga games for the first time in his career. He's also had a direct hand in seven goals in his last four competitive outings.

Svensson made 32 Bundesliga appearances for Gladbach, which is the same number of matches the Dane has had as Mainz coach. His average of 1.72 points per game is the best of any 05er boss in the top flight.

The Carnival club have the joint-second-meanest defence in the division with only 10 goals conceded, also allowing only four clear-cut chances.

Scally got his first Bundesliga assist last time out. The American has started every match this season and is fifth in the league for spells of possession.

Gladbach have won their last three Bundesliga visits to Mainz and are unbeaten in the last five (W4, D1).

Although 10th in the table, only league leaders Bayern (184) have had more shots than the Foals (155), but they are only scoring with every 13th attempt.

Probable line-ups

Mainz: Zentner - Bell, Hack, Niakhate (c) - Widmer, Lee, Kohr, Boetius, Martin - Burkardt, Onisiwo

Out: St. Juste (shoulder)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Bo Svensson

Gladbach: Sommer - Scally, Elvedi, Ginter, Bensebaini - Zakaria, Kone - Hofmann, Stindl (c), Plea - Embolo

Out: Beyer (muscular), Doucoure (Achilles), Jantschke (facial fracture), Kramer (thigh), Lainer (ankle)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Adi Hütter