How Bayern Munich could line up against Mainz 05

Bayern Munich make the trip to the Opel Arena to face Mainz 05 on Saturday afternoon looking to get themselves closer to top spot in the Bundesliga standings.

Nico Kovac's side registered a 3-1 victory away at Wolfsburg last weekend, but the defending champions still sit four points adrift of leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Bayern made it two wins in three days on Tuesday night when they were able to see off AEK Athens by a 2-0 scoreline in the Champions League.

Kovac has some important decisions to make regarding his starting lineup, and here Sports Mole looks at how his side could line up this weekend.

Out: Frank Ribery (back), Kingsley Coman (ankle), Corentin Tolisso (knee), Arjen Robben (suspension)

Arjen Robben will sit out the match due to the red card picked up against Wolfsburg, which could see Leon Goretzka brought back into the team.

That would enable James Rodriguez to be included in a front three alongside Serge Gnabry and Robert Lewandowski, who both impressed against AEK Athens.

Kovac could keep the same back four from the game in Greece, meaning that Jerome Boateng and David Alaba would remain among the replacements.

Thomas Muller is also likely to stay on the substitutes' bench as the wait goes on for his first goal since September 1.