Bayern Munich vs Mainz Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Defending champions Bayern Munich have enjoyed an extremely impressive campaign thus far as they now take on a struggling Mainz side at the Allianz Arena.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports+ / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Sky Sports+ / US – ESPN+
Bayern Munich preview: Brilliant Bavarians
Bayern Munich come into this one on the back of a comfortable 3-1 defeat of Sporting CP in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. Vincent Kompany’s side were recovering from a loss to Arsenal in that competition a couple of weeks ago.
The Bavarians have been exceptionally impressive in the Bundesliga, collecting 37 points from a possible 39 so far this season, having hammered last season’s DFB-Pokal winners Stuttgart by five goals to nil away from home last weekend.
Mainz preview: Struggling Mainz
Mainz significantly overperformed last season to get themselves into the UEFA Europa Conference League this season, where they are performing well and are one of the favourites for the trophy but they have badly struggled domestically.
The visitors begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting rock-bottom with just one win in their 13 matches so far this season. Their poor start continued with a 1-0 loss at home to Borussia Monchengladbach in their most recent outing last week.
Bayern Munich team news: Boey a doubt
Former Galatasaray right-back Sacha Boey, who is rumoured to depart in the January transfer window, is a doubt for Bayern this week, while Jamal Musiala is a confirmed absentee.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer, Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Karl, Luis Diaz; Kane
Unavailable: Musiala (Injured)
Questionable: Boey (Injured)
Mainz team news: Couple of suspensions
Mainz are dealing with a couple of suspension issues as both Dominik Kohr and Paul Nebel are both sidelined, while Germany international attacking midfielder Nadiem Amiri is also a doubt.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Batz; Da Costa, Hanche-Olsen, Leitsch; Wimer, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Lee; Weiper, Moreno Fell
Unavailable: Zentner (Injured), Dal (Injured), Kohr (Suspended), Caci (Injured), Nebel (Suspended), Mwene (Injured)
Questionable: Amiri (Injured)
Bayern Munich vs Mainz prediction
Having laboured to a 1-1 draw with Lech Poznan in Europe in midweek, while down to ten men, the Germans are in a really tricky spot at the moment. They head towards the winter break desperately needing a reset. Bayern Munich have been relentless this season and, even if they take their eye off the ball and are tempted to rotate, they should still win quite comfortably here.
Bayern Munich vs Mainz tip: Bayern Munich to win -2 handicap
