FSV Mainz 05 vs TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Prediction and Preview – 18/09/15
Bundesliga preview – FSV Mainz 05 vs TSG 1899 Hoffenheim prediction
Mainz have lost winger Jairo Samperio to injury along with Fabien Frei in central midfield. Gaetan Bussman and Danny Latza will be the men likely to fill the gaps for Martin Schmidt’s side. Attacking midfield Yunus Malli has scored in each of the last two games for Mainz playing just behind Yoshinoro Muto who has also been on form for Mainz at the start of this campaign.
Hoffenheim have no new injury concerns following Sunday’s dramatic collapse in the 90th minute defeat to Werder Bremen at home. That should mean a largely unchanged side as Markus Gisdol’s side look for their first win of the season. Eduardo Vargas is pushing for a start after scoring from the bench on Sunday but may be too similar to Kevin Volland for a starting berth.
Possible Line-ups
Mainz: 4-2-3-1 formation: Karius; Bussman, Bell, Bungert, Balogun; Latza, Baumgartlinger; Bengtsson, Malli, Clemens; Muto
Hoffenheim: 4-1-2-1-2 formation: Baumann; Kaderabek, Sule, Schar, Kim; Schwegler, Zuber, Polanski, Uth; Volland, Kuranyi
Statistics
Last 10 matches:
- Mainz have won 5, drawn 1 and lost 4
- Hoffenheim have won 3, drawn 3 and lost 4
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches:
- Mainz have scored an average of 1.7 goals and conceded an average of 1.2 goals per game
- Hoffenheim have scored an average of 1.2 goals and conceded an average of 1.3 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in:
- 7 of Mainz’s previous 10 matches
- 6 of Hoffenheim’s previous 10 matches
- Hoffenheim defeated Mainz 2-0 in their last Bundesliga meeting in February, with last season’s return fixture finishing Mainz 0-0 Hoffenheim
Prediction
Mainz have had an average start to the season with 2 wins and 2 defeats. Sunday’s game against Schalke was a tough fixture but a 2-1 defeat was little reward for a good performance. The attacking pair of Malli and Muto will create a threat as their relationship continues to develop and Mainz will be hoping to improve on last season’s 6 home wins; however their opposition only managed 3 wins away from home last season and have yet to find their feet this season.
Hoffenheim have only managed one point this season away to newly promoted Darmstadt. The club are finding it tough to come to terms with losing Ferminio and Modeste who formed last season’s attack. Having played Bayern, Leverkusen and Werder Bremen already Hoffenheim fans will hope that they can kick start their season at Mainz but can the new front line of Kuranyi and Volland get amongst the goals
Mainz have had a better start to the season and Hoffenheim will be deflated following the manner of their defeat on Sunday conceding two goals in the 91st and 92nd minutes. In Friday night’s game have gone with the home side, Mainz are normally quick off the block at home and enjoy scoring early goals, Hoffenheim on the other hand will be tough to keep out but will look to keep things tight in the first half and go on the offensive in the second half with the likes of Vargas off the bench.
Tips
Mainz to win a half at 8/13 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Mainz to win and both teams to score at 3/1 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Half Time: Mainz 1-0 & Full Time: Mainz 2-1 at 22/1 – Click here to bet with Bet365
What are your predictions?
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