Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 German Bundesliga
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THE FACTS
When is Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz on and what time does it start? Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz will take place on Friday 23rd February, 2024 – 19:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz
Where can I stream Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainzcan be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Bayer Leverkusen were far from their best last weekend, but they got the job done away at Heidenheim, ending the newly promoted Bundesliga side’s long unbeaten run with a hard-fought 1-2 victory. Having been afforded a rare start over Jonas Hofmann, Amine Adli rewarded the faith shown in him by head coach Xabi Alonso with the all-important second goal after Jeremie Frimpong had opened the scoring.
Heidenheim pulled one back, but Leverkusen held on and ended the round of fixtures having extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to eight points following another shock defeat for Bayern Munich, this time away to Bochum. It’s now four consecutive wins in all competitions for Leverkusen since they were held to a 0-0 draw by Borussia Monchengladbach in late January.
MAINZ
Mainz are coming off the back of having secured a precious three points, which has seen them move to within just a point of 16th-placed FC Cologne and out of the automatic relegation places. Those three points came via a cagey but crucial 1-0 victory over Augsburg, defender Sepp van den Berg scoring the only goal of the game just before half-time.
That was only the second Bundesliga win that Mainz have managed all season so far and they’ll probably be quietly disappointed at the opportunity to back that up with another positive result being against the unbeaten league leaders. It’s difficult to gain momentum and put a run together when facing opposition of such class. However, with everything to gain nothing to lose, Mainz should treat this fixture as a free hit.
THE TEAM NEWS
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Schick, Wirtz
UNAVAILABLE: Arthur (Injured), Boniface (Injured), Monamay (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Palacios (Injured)
MAINZ
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Zentner; van den Berg, Kohr, Guilavogui; Mwene, Barreiro, Amiri, Caci; Lee, Onisiwo, Gruda
UNAVAILABLE: Ajorque (Illness), Bell (Injured) Burkardt (Illness), Da Costa (Illness), Fernandes (Injured), Leitsch (Injured), Weiper (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This is likely to be a long evening for Mainz which will see them camped in their own half for the majority of play. Expect Bayer Leverkusen to dominate heavy periods, boss possession and ultimately create a high volume of goalscoring opportunities with the numerous different attacking options within Xabi Alonso’s team whether it be through set pieces or open play. Bayer Leverkusen have passed every test they’ve faced so far, back them to pass this one as well and triumph over the relegation battlers by at least two clear goals.
TIP: BAYER LEVERKUSEN TO WIN WITH -1 HANDICAP
