It’s been something of a rollercoaster for Gladbach under Eugen Polanski. After an impressive run that appeared to stabilize the club and earn him the job permanently, results have since dropped dramatically. Only two wins in 14 league games in 2026 have put Die Fohlen in trouble again, leaving them in 14th place and just five points off the relegation play-off spot.
Advertisement
Their last outing ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat against RB Leipzig. Goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas put in an outstanding performance, making 11 saves to keep his team in contention for long periods, but they ultimately succumbed in the end.
Polanski acknowledged the pressure ahead of Sunday’s clash:
“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking at the table. That’s natural with so few games left in the season. Still, we must focus on ourselves, put in a good performance, show real fight and passion, and do everything we can to take the three points.”
Mainz, on the other hand, have enjoyed a resurgence under Urs Fischer, emerging from danger and taking 10 points from their last five league games. Before their defeat against Freiburg, they were unbeaten in nine games in all competitions and now occupy ninth place in the standings.
Advertisement
However, confidence may have taken a significant hit following their dramatic exit from the Conference League on Thursday. Leading 2-0 after the first leg against Strasbourg, Mainz collapsed in the second leg, suffering a 4-0 defeat and being eliminated from a competition they had real ambitions to win.
Fischer admitted that his team is feeling the effects, but is waiting for a response:
“The mood is naturally depressed. Yesterday we didn’t do many things well. We want to show the reaction in Gladbach,” he said, before adding: “We are still not sure in the league. There are five games left and we have to approach them differently.”
In the first leg in December, Gladbach claimed a 1-0 victory thanks to a Danny da Costa own goal, ending a long winless streak against Mainz, who had been unbeaten in nine games before that result.
Advertisement
Historically, Mainz have also proven to be capable travelers to Borussia-Park, winning this match 3-1 last season and not losing any of their last five away league games there. Gladbach, meanwhile, have been relatively solid at home lately, with just one defeat in their last five games.
team news
Borussia Mönchengladbach: Tim Kleindienst is expected to be the only absentee from Polanski’s team.
1. FSV Mainz 05: Silas, Benedict Hollerbach, Jae-Sung Lee, Robin Zentner and Maxim Leitsch remain sidelined.
Planned lineups
Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-4-2-1): Nicolas (Goalkeeper) – Sander, Elvedi, Diks – Scally, Reitz, Engelhardt, Castrop – Mohya, Honorat – Tabaković
1. FSV Mainz 05 (3-5-2): Batz (GK) – da Costa, Posch, Kohr – Widmer, Amiri, Sano, Nebel, Mwene – Tietz, Becker