Mainz vs Stuttgart Preview & Prediction | 2022-23 German Bundesliga
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THE FACTS
When is Mainz vs Stuttgart on and what time does it start? Mainz vs Stuttgart will take place on Sunday 21st May, 2023 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Mainz vs Stuttgart? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Mainz vs Stuttgart on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for Mainz vs Stuttgart
Where can I stream Mainz vs Stuttgart in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Mainz vs Stuttgart can be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
MAINZ
Whilst Mainz still have something to play for this season, you wouldn’t know it based on their recent results. Going into this round of Bundesliga fixtures, Mainz currently lie in 9th-place on 45 points, four behind 6th-placed Wolfsburg and those all-important European places. However, they are coming off the back of three straight defeats which has left them with a mountain to climb if they want to break into the top six. Defensively, Mainz have not been able to stop conceding goals, shipping three in each of those last three losses and it will be of a priority for them that they tighten up significantly from a defensive point of view in these final two games.
After being beaten 3-0 away at Wolfsburg, Mainz will have found it extremely tough to take losing to Schalke 04 by three goals to two thanks to a penalty in the 12th minute of second half stoppage time. Perhaps they were still nursing a hangover following that match against Eintracht Frankfurt, who comfortably dispatched Mainz by three goals to nil last time out. With title-chasing Borussia Dortmund away on the last day, this may prove Mainz’s best chance at gaining points before the end of the campaign.
STUTTGART
Whilst Stuttgart are inside the bottom two as it stands, only a point separates them from 16th-placed Schalke 04 and two points behind Bochum, who overtook Stuttgart last weekend. It could prove either a benefit or a hindrance that Stuttgart take to the pitch the day after both Schalke and Bochum and should results go against them, Stuttgart may well find themselves in a situation where they must win to take their relegation battle to the final weekend of the season. Worryingly, the visitors have won just one of their last five Bundesliga fixtures, but they most recently secured a very respectable 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen, although it wasn’t enough to stop them from dropping into the dreaded automatic relegation spots.
The frustrating thing from a Stuttgart perspective was that it could have been more after they took the lead on 57 minutes through a Serhou Guirassy penalty. However, they then proceeded to give away a penalty themselves 13 minutes later, which was converted by Exequiel Palacios. Guirassy will be key to Stuttgart’s hopes of survival, having scored in each of their last three Bundesliga games and his side need him to fire in front of goal once again in this one.
THE TEAM NEWS
MAINZ
Andreas Hanche-Olsen misses out through suspension, whilst both Silvan Widmer and Jonathan Burkardt are not expected to feature due to ankle and knee injuries respectively. Maxim Leitsch has fitness problems. The likelihood is that Mainz will set up in a 3-4-3 formation with Fernandes, Stefan Bell and Anthony Caci making up the back three, with Ludovic Ajorque flanked up top by Karim Onisiwo and Anton Stach.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Zentner; Fernandes, Bell, Caci; Da Costa, Barreiro, Kohr, Martin; Stach, Ajorque, Onisiwo
UNAVAILABLE: Burkardt (knee), Hanche-Olsen (Suspended), Leitsch (Fitness), Widmer (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE:
STUTTGART
As it stands, the only player definitely expected to miss this one from a Stuttgart perspective is forward Thomas Kastanaras, who is currently nursing a foot injury. Aside from him, Sebastian Hoeness could well boast a full-strength squad to choose from here with centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos expected to be available for selection and he could well come back into the starting line-up.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Bredlow; Mavropanos, Anton, Ito; Vagnoman, Endo, Karazor, Sosa; Silas, Guirassy, Millot
UNAVAILABLE: Kastanaras (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This serves as a big opportunity for Stuttgart when taking into account Mainz’s total collapse in form. You’d expect the away side to fight for every loose ball and throw themselves into every 50-50, covering every blade of grass until the final whistle. Whether Mainz will show as much commitment remains to be seen with less at stake for them. But a battling Stuttgart are more than capable of picking up at least a point here, if not all three so back them to achieve one of these two outcomes via the double chance market.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – DRAW/STUTTGART
