FSV Mainz 05

FSV Mainz 05

Mainz sit with a single competitive fixture to their name this season: a 1-0 victory over Shabab Al Ahli Dubai. The remainder of their schedule remains unplayed, with four Bundesliga clashes lined up against the division's heavyweights and a Europa League tie against Udinese still to come.

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The club's sole outing produced a narrow win, suggesting they can grind out results when required. What awaits is a punishing run of fixtures. Back-to-back encounters with Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund bookend their immediate league programme, with a second meeting against Dortmund also pencilled in. The Udinese fixture adds European complications to an already congested calendar.

Mainz have not yet faced any of these opponents this term, so there is no established pattern of play or form to draw from. They enter these matches as unknowns - untested against top-tier opposition and without the rhythm that comes from regular competitive football. The Dubai win offers some foundation, but the step up will be considerable. How they respond to Bayern and Dortmund will define their season.