Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Mainz have pushed themselves into the top six ahead of the final day of the campaign as they take on a Bayer Leverkusen side bidding farewell to Real Madrid-bound Xabi Alonso.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports OR Not televised / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go OR Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
Mainz preview: Mainz pushing for the UECL
Mainz have been very impressive throughout the campaign, perhaps punching well above their weight as they begin the final day of the season sitting tucked inside the top six and the European spots with manager Bo Henriksen now linked with several clubs abroad.
Mainz come into this one on the back of a 4-1 hammering of Bochum at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion in their most recent outing last weekend thanks to goals from Nadiem Amiri, Philipp Mwene, Jonathan Burkardt and Paul Nebel.
Bayer Leverkusen preview: Leverkusen’s poor end
It is the final game of what has been an extremely impressive Xabi Alonso reign at Bayer Leverkusen with the former Real Sociedad B coach arriving at the BayArena when they were in the relegation zone before winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal without losing last week.
The visitors are finishing the campaign with a bit of a whimper as they come into this one on the back of a 4-2 loss at home to Borussia Dortmund last weekend. That means they have now won just two of their last seven matches across all competitions.
Mainz team news: A few issues
Mainz are dealing with a few injury issues this weekend ahead of the visit of Bayer Leverkusen. Goalkeeper Robin Zentner is a doubt for the final day, whilst the likes of Maxim Dal, Moritz Jenz and Dominik Kohr are all confirmed absentees.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Riess; Da Costa, Hanche-Olsen, Widmer; Caci, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Nebel, Lee; Burkardt
Unavailable: Dal (Injured), Jenz (Injured), Kohr (Injured)
Questionable: Zentner (Injured)
Bayer Leverkusen team news: Mukiele a doubt
Bayer Leverkusen defender Nordi Mukiele is a doubt for this weekend’s trip to Mainz as he is dealing with a tear. They also have some confirmed absentees for this one such as Mario Hermoso, Jeanuel Belocian and Martin Terrier.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Kovar; Tapsoba, Tah, Piero Hincapie; Frimpoing, Aleix Garcia, Xhaka, Alex Grimaldo; Wirtz, Emi Buendia; Schick
Unavailable: Mario Hermoso (Injured), Belocian (Injured), Terrier (Injured)
Questionable: Mukiele (Injured)
Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction
Mainz have been brilliant this season and it no surprise to see that there is interest in manager Bo Henriksen. As they head into the final day looking to fend off RB Leipzig, who face a potentially distracted Stuttgart side preparing for the DFB-Pokal final, it is a crucial game for them to achieve European qualification. They face a Leverkusen side that will want to finish the Xabi Alonso era with a flourish but they do appear to now be coasting towards the end of the season, albeit still regularly involved in high-scoring encounters. A fun watch for the neutral is to be expected.
Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusen tip: Over 2.5 goals
