Mainz vs Wolfsburg Preview: Team News & Prediction
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After having built some much-needed momentum since their Bayern battering, Wolfsburg can make it three unbeaten here with a positive result away at bottom-placed Mainz.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN+
Mainz preview: Another loss
After having cobbled together an unbeaten run, Mainz fell to their tenth league defeat of the season last time out, going down 2-1 to FC Cologne. The loss sent them back to the bottom of the table with Heidenheim overtaking them.
Only three teams have scored less goals than Mainz so far in the league this campaign and the worst part about their loss against FC Cologne was they led at half-time, before it all fell apart in the second period.
Wolfsburg preview: Another point on the board
Whilst Wolfsburg will have likely hoped for better against Heidenheim most recently, they at least backed up their 2-1 win over St. Pauli with another point. That result keeps them six points clear of the bottom three for now with another big opportunity here.
For the second weekend running, Wolfsburg will be taking on the side currently sat at the bottom of the Bundesliga table. This time though, they’ll be on the road and the last time that was the case, it ended very badly for them at the Allianz Arena.
Mainz team news: Several missing
A large number of players are absent for Mainz with injuries. Illness has also rendered both Benedict Hollerbach and Nelson Weiper as doubtful.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Batz; Kohr, Bell, Potulski; Da Costa, Sano, Amiri, Widmer; Nebel, Tietz, Lee
Unavailable: Caci (Injured), Dal (Injured), Hanche-Olsen (Injured), Nordin (Injured), Veratschnig (Injured), Zentner (Injured)
Questionable: Hollerbach (Illness), Mwene (Injured), Weiper (Illness)
Wolfsburg team news: Arnold banned
Midfielder Maxi Arnold is suspended, whilst Joakim Maehle and Jonas Wind are two of four players out injured. Seelt is struggling with illness.
Predicted XI: (4-2-3-1): Grabara; Kumbedi, Jenz, Koulierakis, Zehnter; Svanberg, Gerhardt; Eriksen, Majer, Wimmer; Pejcinovic
Unavailable: Arnold (Suspended), Dardai (Injured), Maehle (Injured), Rogerio (Injured), Wind (Injured)
Questionable: Seelt (Illness)
Mainz vs Wolfsburg prediction
Momentum is currently in Wolfsburg’s favour and they travel to Mainz knowing that second the first goal could flatten Mainz’s belief and lead to further openings. Just two wins from 18 league games emphases the difficulties Mainz have had when it comes to winning Bundesliga matches and this is something that won’t be lost on Wolfsburg.
A close contest looks to be on the cards, but it’s hard to ignore Mainz’s awful record when it comes to winning games. With that in mind, consider backing Wolfsburg to avoid defeat and pick up at least a point, if not all three.
Mainz vs Wolfsburg tip: Double chance - draw/Wolfsburg
