High-flying Mainz will attempt to claim another major scalp when they host Borussia Dortmund, a team that desperately need to return to winning ways after two straight defeats in Bundesliga.

Arguably one of league’s most talented coaches Thomas Tuchel continues to work wonders with the Carnival club, getting the maximum out of some pretty average players.

Having finished last season in 13th place, Mainz have shown a great deal of improvement this term, having climbed to seventh with back to back triumphs over Eintracht and Werder.

The club did not spend too much money on new players this summer, but they made several shrewd signings, with Shinji Okazaki and Joo-Ho Park especially impressive.

And with Germany international Nicolai Muller enjoying the best season of his career, Thomas Tuchel’s side might even be able to mount a serious challenge for European positions.

Given the hosts are brimming with confidence at the moment, odds of 1.62 (5/8) offered on both teams to score look too good to pass up.

Zdenek Pospech is doubtful through injury, whereas Christian Wetklo, Julian Baumgartlinger, Niko Bungert, Heinz Muller and Julian Koch remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Karius – Pospech, Bell, Noveski, Park – Geis, Soto – Polter, Zimling, Muller – Okazaki.

Despite going strong in the opening exchanges, Borussia Dortmund seriously damaged their title hopes with back to back defeats to Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich, slipping to third position in the process.

In all fairness, a serious injury crisis certainly played a major part, but rather than crying over spilt milk, the Millionaires need to get back on the right track as soon as possible.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have already made a step in the right direction, having boosted their Champions League hopes with a 3-1 triumph over Napoli, but they now have to ensure they stay as close as possible to bitter rivals Bayern in the Bundesliga standings.

However, with Mainz on top of their game at the moment and BVB still missing a host of important players, I see no value in odds of 1.62 (5/8) offered on away win.

The good news is new signing Manuel Friedrich returns after he was ineligible to face Napoli, which means Sven Bender is likely to return to the centre of the park.

Nevertheless, Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic, Marcel Schmelzer and Ilkay Gundogan are not yet ready to return into action.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Weidenfeller – Grosskreutz, Friedrich, Papastathopoulos, Durm – Bender, Sahin – Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan, Reus – Lewandowski.