Mainz 05 will be looking to end their six-game winless streak in the Bundesliga when they face off against Wolfsburg on Saturday.
Both teams have struggled recently, with Mainz sitting in the relegation zone and Wolfsburg falling into the bottom half of the table. This match is crucial for both sides as they aim to start the new year on a positive note.
Match Preview:
Mainz ended the previous year in the relegation places but managed to move above FC Koln with a draw against Borussia Dortmund.
Despite only winning once in their opening 16 matches, Mainz has shown defensive strength under their new manager, Jan Siewert, having conceded only four goals in his seven games in charge.
However, their goal-scoring record remains a concern, with only 13 goals scored all season. Mainz will be hoping to improve their attacking performance against a vulnerable Wolfsburg defense.
Wolfsburg, on the other hand, have had a disappointing run of form, losing seven of their last ten league matches.
They sit five points behind the European qualification places and need a positive result to kickstart their season.
Despite their defensive struggles, conceding 18 goals in eight away matches, they did manage to contain SV Darmstadt 98 in their last game before the break.
Manager Niko Kovac will be under pressure to improve results and guide his team back up the table.
Team News:
Mainz will be without Nelson Weiper, who is recovering from knee surgery, and Stefan Bell, who is doubtful due to a cold.
However, manager Jan Siewert should have a full squad to choose from. Karim Onisiwo is expected to lead the line once again, with Jonathan Burkardt hoping for a recall to the starting lineup.
Wolfsburg will be without Maxence Lacroix, who is suspended following a red card in their previous match.
Amin Sarr, Patrick Wimmer, and Lukas Nmecha are sidelined with knee injuries, while Ridle Baku may not feature due to illness.
Manager Niko Kovac may make changes to his defense, with Joachim Maehle potentially switching to his natural side.
Possible Lineups:
Mainz 05: (3-4-2-1)
Batz;
Kohr, Bell, Van Den Berg;
Widmer, Krauss, Lee, Mwene;
Gruda, Richter;
Onisiwo
Wolfsburg: (3-5-2)
Casteels;
Bornauw, Jenz, Zesiger;
Maehle, Arnold, Vranckx, Svanberg, Rogerio;
Wind, Majer
Prediction: Mainz 05 1-1 Wolfsburg
Both Mainz 05 and Wolfsburg have struggled to find the back of the net recently, making it unlikely that either team will dominate the game offensively.
The tactical decisions made by the managers, particularly in terms of formations, could dictate the flow of the match.
Given Mainz’s position in the table and Wolfsburg’s poor away form, a draw seems likely. A 1-1 scoreline would be a positive start to the new year for both teams.
