Michael Skibbe was full of praise for Mainz ahead of the Rhine-Main derby, but his remarks were not reciprocated by Thomas Tuchel.

Skibbe's playing career was brought to an end after a bad tackle in a cup tie against Mainz in 1986, but he claims his relationship with Frankfurt's bitter local rivals could not be better.

"Mainz and Freiburg fill their niche in the Bundesliga very well," said Skibbe.

"They play without any pressure and are capable of playing at a good level.

"I have respect and recognition for Mainz's performance. They are a very nice Bundesliga club.

"I have a good relationship with their management and don't have any score to settle."

Coaching novice Tuchel, meanwhile, has learned quickly what this match means to his club's fans and refrained from repaying Skibbe's compliments.

"We are going to Frankfurt to win," he proclaimed. "If Frankfurt believe that they are the number one in the Rhine-Main area, then that is just their opinion.

"We will give the answer on the field."

Mainz currently hold a four-point advantage over their neighbours - much to Skibbe's dismay.

"It has got to be our aim to be above Mainz," he added.

"We are all really motivated for this derby."

Pirmin Schwegler, Caio, Umit Korkmaz, Patrick Ochs and Maik Franz are all now fully fit for the hosts after recent knocks and niggles.

Mainz coach Tuchel is pondering giving Eugen Polanski a start after he returned from injury to play 10 minutes against Hamburg last weekend.

Tuchel added that he would make his team selection "based on the characters of players who can be comfortable in the heated atmosphere of a derby and keep a cool head".