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

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Germany U21 captain Burkardt has become the main man at Mainz alongside Karim Onisiwo, scoring five and setting up another two across his last five club appearances. It's seen the 05ers emerge from a first real slump under Bo Svensson and go three games unbeaten to sit seventh ahead of the weekend. The form of 'Jonisiwo' is keeping club legend Adam Szalai and summer signing Marcus Ingvartsen on the bench, while the back three has quickly made up for the loss of the Bundesliga's fastest-ever player, Jerry St. Juste. The Dutchman is likely out until the new year with a shoulder injury. Otherwise Svensson has a mostly fit first-team squad at his disposal.

While Burkardt's form has been impressive, Modeste's has been stratospheric of late. The Frenchman is enjoying a renaissance back at Cologne, scoring 10 times in 13 competitive appearances this season, including braces in three of the last four. Two of those in the Bundesliga have earned the Billy Goats 2-2 draws at home to Bayer Leverkusen and then Union Berlin. But it's still only one win in the last eight league games for Steffen Baumgart's men, who have slipped into the bottom half of the table for the first time this season. Ellyes Skhiri has missed the last four with a shin injury sustained in the previous international break but is back on the training ground and could be back before the winter break.

Match stats

Burkardt has produced four goals and an assist in his last four league games. Onisiwo's scored one and assisted two in that time.

Svensson has claimed 50 points in 31 matches as Mainz head coach. Only Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg and RB Leipzig have collected more across that period.

Indeed, Mainz have accrued seven points from the last nine on offer. Four games unbeaten would be a first for the 05ers this season.

Modeste has netted all of Cologne's last four Bundesliga goals.

Cologne have picked up two points in five away Bundesliga matches this season. Only pointless Greuther Fürth have fared worse on their travels.

The Billy Goats have only won one of their last six meetings with Mainz - a 1-0 away victory last season.

Probable line-ups

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

Out: Lucoqui (knee), St. Juste (shoulder)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Bo Svensson

Cologne: T. Horn - Schmitz, Hübers, Czichos, Hector (c) - Özcan - Duda, Ljubicic, Kainz - Uth, Modeste

Out: J. Horn (hip)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Steffen Baumgart