Mainz 05 vs Bayern Munich Preview
Watch Mainz 05 vs Bayern Munich preview, as Bayern Munich is looking for a comeback after a defeat in the champions league quarter finals as they meet on the Bundesliga premises.
While the visitors are seeking to avoid a fourth successive game in all competitions without a win, the hosts have not lost a top-flight fixture since the beginning of February.
January signing Ludovic Ajorque scored for the third successive game to open the scoring for Mainz in the first half, but an equaliser from Dejan Ljubicic six minutes after the break forced both sides to share the spoils.
Only Borussia Dortmund and Saturday’s opponents Bayern have accumulated more points than Mainz during the second half of the campaign, and Bo Svensson’s men have put themselves in the mix for European qualification as they now sit eighth in the Bundesliga table, level on points with seventh-placed Eintracht Frankfurt and just two points behind Bayer Leverkusen in sixth.
Since losing 4-0 at home to Bayern in the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal in February, Mainz have not lost any of their last five matches at the Mewa Arena.
The 05ers have also won their last two home league games against the Bavarian giants under the tutelage of Svensson, including a 3-1 home triumph in April last year, so the hosts can be optimistic of pulling off another upset on Saturday.
Team News and Injury
Mainz’s only injury concern is with forward Jonathan Burkardt, who has been sidelined since November with a long-term knee injury.
Svensson is unlikely to make too many changes, if any, to his starting lineup, with Anton Stach set to continue in an advanced midfield role alongside Karim Onisiwo, who has scored six of his nine Bundesliga goals on home soil this season.
As for Bayern Munich, Manuel Neuer (leg) and Lucas Hernandez (knee) remain out with long-term injuries, while Benjamin Pavard will serve a one-match suspension after picking up five yellow cards.
Joao Cancelo could switch to right-back in the absence of Pavard, with Alphonso Davies set to be recalled at left-back, although Daley Blind, Noussair Mazraoui and Josip Stanisic will also push to start in the full-back positions.
Sadio Mane returned to the first-team fold on Wednesday and came on as a second-half substitute against Man City after serving a club suspension for punching teammate Leroy Sane, and the Senegalese winger will challenge Sane and Kingsley Coman for a start on either flank, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – who recovered from a knee issue to start in midweek – is set to get the nod up front.
Mainz vs Bayern Munich head-to-head stats
Bayern Munich have a good recent record against FSV Mainz and have won 22 of the last 30 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to FSV Mainz’s six victories. FSV Mainz have won their last two matches at home against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga – as many victories as they had achieved in the 14 such games preceding this run.
Bayern Munich have picked up only 59 points from their 28 games in the Bundesliga so far this season – their worst record since the 2010-11 season. FSV Mainz have picked up 22 points during the second half of the season – only Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have a better record in the Bundesliga during this period.
FSV Mainz are unbeaten in their last nine games in the Bundesliga – their longest such run in a single top-flight season.
Mainz vs Bayern Munich Prediction
Bayern Munich have not been at their best in recent weeks and face a battle against Borussia Dortmund in the title race. Alphonso Davies and Thomas Muller were benched against Manchester City and could feature in this game.
FSV Mainz have been excellent this season and will look to pull off an upset this weekend. Bayern Munich are the better team on paper, however, and should be able to win this game.
