Preview: Schott Mainz vs Borussia Monchengladbach - prediction, team news, lineups

Borussia Monchengladbach travel to Mewa Arena, where they will take on Schott Mainz in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Sunday.

Demand was so high for the match that Mainz 05's stadium was selected as the host venue, though Schott Mainz will still have a larger portion of support, and their fans must make their voices heard if their side are to get the better of Gladbach.

Match preview

Currently competing in the Regionalliga Southwest division, Schott Mainz are three divisions below Gladbach, and they will face a tough challenge on the weekend.

Boss Sascha Meeth will be pleased by the start that his side have made to the 2026-27 league season given they are first with 10 points from a possible 12, with his players scoring 12 goals while conceding on four occasions in the fourth tier so far.

The club do not boast an extensive history in the DFB-Pokal considering Sunday will be just their fourth ever entry into the competition, and they have suffered eliminations in the first round each time.

Their most recent loss in the tournament was a 2-0 defeat to Greuther Furth in 2025-26, and they were beaten in their three cup losses by an aggregate scoreline of 11-1.

Borussia Monchengladbach have enjoyed a strong pre-season, winning their six friendlies this summer, and they should be aiming to significantly improve their top-flight showings.

Die Fohlen finished 12th in the Bundesliga in 2025-26 with just 38 points, and they only ended the season nine points above the 16th-placed relegation playoff spot.

It was somewhat surprising that Eugen Polanski was appointed permanently in November 2025 after just two months in the role on a temporary basis, and his overall record as boss at the club now stands at 10 wins, 10 stalemates and 13 losses.

Gladbach reached the round of 16 of the DFB-Pokal last campaign, and an exit on Sunday would be their first in the opening round of the competition in 13 seasons.

Polanski's side ended 2025-26 winless in their final 11 away fixtures, a period in which they succumbed to defeat seven times.

Schott Mainz form (all competitions):

Borussia Monchengladbach friendly form:

Team News

Schott Mainz goalkeeper Robin Balters will need centre-backs Jan Just, Dominik Ahlbach and Nils Gans to be at their best on the weekend.

Fabian Messina may have to curb his attacking instincts and drop deeper to form a midfield three alongside Jost Mairose and Ismael Wiegand.

Borussia Monchengladbach striker Tim Kleindienst will want to open his account for the season, and the forward is likely to be supported by wingers Robin Hack and Franck Honorat.

Despite being just 18, Mathieu Nguefack is an option to play in the middle of the pitch, though being stationed next to veteran Philipp Sander would be beneficial.

Centre-back Kevin Diks may be partnered by Jan Leszczynski in a four-man defence, and the duo will have to shield shot-stopper Jan Olschowsky.

Schott Mainz possible starting lineup:

Balters; Just, Ahlbach, Gans; Robotta, Wiegand, Mairose, Messina, Schwarz; Itoi, W'Okitasombo

Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:

Olschowsky; Hashioka, Diks, Leszczynski, Herold; Sander, Nguefack; Honorat, Bolin, Hack; Kleindienst

We say: Schott Mainz 1-4 Borussia Monchengladbach

While the visitors consistently struggled on the road last term, it is difficult to envisage them losing to Schott Mainz.

The gulf in quality between the hosts and Gladbach is immense, and while Schott Mainz may have moments to cherish on Sunday, anything other than a comfortable away victory would be surprising.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.