Mainz vs RB Leipzig Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Mainz were one of the biggest overperformers in the Bundesliga last season, as they now prepare to take on an RB Leipzig side that require a season of resurgence.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
Mainz preview: Busy season
Under the management of formerly Leeds United-linked Bo Henriksen, Mainz are set for a busy season, and it has already begun with an extra couple of matches, having defeated Rosenborg in the playoffs of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Domestically, Mainz began with a slender 1-0 loss at home to newly-promoted Cologne, before then sharing a 1-1 draw with Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena, courtesy of a late equaliser scored from the penalty spot by Germany international Nadiem Amiri.
RB Leipzig preview: Need to improve
Despite the off-field movement of the Red Bull group, with an involvement at Paris and the role given to Jurgen Klopp, RB Leipzig have majorly stagnated and declined, and it has been a mixed start to this season.
There was some encouragement after Ole Werner’s pre-season, but they were annihilated by six goals to nil at the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich. They did the manage to defeat Heidenheim by two goals to nil a couple of weeks ago.
Mainz team news: Lee still a doubt
South Korea international attacking midfielder Lee Jae-sung suffered a hamstring injury during the international break, in a friendly against Mexico, and he is now a doubt.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Zenter; Kohr, Bell, Da Costa; Mwene, Caci, Sano, Weiper; Amiri, Lee; Sieb
Unavailable: Dal (Injured), Hollerbach (Injured)
Questionable: Gleiber (Injured), Lee (Injured)
RB Leipzig team news: A few doubts
RB Leipzig head to Mainz with a few doubts for this one with defender Lukas Klostermann, midfield duo Ezechiel Banzuzi and Amadou Haidara and attacker Tidiam Gomis are all potentially unavailable.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Gulacsi; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Seiwald, Schlager; Bakayoko, Baumgartner, Nusa; Romulo
Unavailable: Henrichs (Injured)
Questionable: Klostermann (Injured), Banzuzi (Injured), Haidara (Injured), Gomis (Injured)
Mainz vs RB Leipzig prediction
Mainz head into this one on the back of a very busy start to the season that saw them struggle for any sort of form. They have managed two victories in five matches across all competitions so far this season. They now face a Leipzig side that will be expected to continue to improve this year, and there will be a view that the loss at Bayern was simply an aberration, and so siding with Leipzig here could be a good value bet for this one.
Mainz vs RB Leipzig tip: Double chance – RB Leipzig to win or draw
