Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Bundesliga clash between Mainz 05 and RB Leipzig, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Mainz 05 welcome an undefeated RB Leipzig to Mewa Arena in gameweek seven, seeking to halt the progress of a side looking to become standalone leaders atop the Bundesliga table after Saturday’s match.
The Red Bulls’ consecutive triumphs before the international break saw them keep pace with Bayern Munich on 14 points after six rounds, and the visitors aim for three wins on the trot against a side without a home victory this term.
Match preview
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Mainz have accrued eight points from six games this term, leaving them 10th in the table, even if they could be higher in the standings if their form on home soil were healthier.
The 05ers’ results in Rhineland-Palatinate are only outdoing promoted Holstein Kiel (zero points) and tied with four more clubs with one point from home games.
Contrarily, Bo Henriksen‘s troops have notched seven points from an available nine on their travels, with Bayern (10 points from four games) the only superior club.
After two disappointing home losses to Werder Bremen and Heidenheim, Mainz are determined to avoid a third consecutive defeat at MEWA Arena.
The ongoing run is inconsistent with 2024 results on home soil between January and May, when the 05ers suffered one defeat in 10 matches, securing five victories and drawing four, and hope to arrest the dip against Leipzig.
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Marco Rose‘s men have started impressively this term, underscored by staying undefeated in six matches before Saturday’s visit to Mainz.
The Red Bulls’ results are predicated on their stern defensive structure, with two goals conceded the fewest in the competition.
The joint leaders’ goals conceded came in their most impressive victory in the embryonic season against Bayer Leverkusen at BayArena, where Die Roten Bullen roared back from 2-0 down to beat Xabi Alonso‘s men 3-2.
Although ending Leverkusen’s 35-game undefeated run was followed by a pair of consecutive goalless encounters against Union Berlin and promoted St. Pauli, Rose’s side have secured back-to-back wins over Augsburg (4-0) and Heidenheim (1-0).
Leipzig’s ongoing six-match undefeated Bundesliga run has extended their 11-match run to end the previous season, meaning they enter this weekend without a top-flight reverse in 17 matches.
While the Red Bulls are favourites to extend that sequence to 18 matches, Rose’s men aim to avoid a dip in performance in a fixture they head into as heavy favourites.
Mainz 05 Bundesliga form:
RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:
RB Leipzig form (all competitions):
Team News
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Dominik Kohr started Mainz’s first six Bundesliga matches, but a fifth yellow card against St. Pauli rules out the defender this weekend through suspension.
The home side will monitor the fitness of striker Karim Onisiwo, who is facing a race against time to be fit for the match due to a thigh injury.
Leipzig midfielder Kevin Kampl is doubtful for this weekend’s match as he continues to recover from a groin injury that has sidelined him since September.
While Rose could welcome Kampl back to the squad, David Raum (ankle), Assan Ouedraogo and Xaver Schlager (both have knee injuries) are not anticipated to play this weekend.
Lois Openda has notched four goals in six appearances (five starts) and the Belgian seeks to add to that tally in gameweek seven.
Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:
Zentner; Hanche-Olsen, Jenz, Leitsch; Caci, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Hong, Lee; Burkardt
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Geertruida, Orban, Castello, Henrichs; Nusa, Haidara, Vermeeren, Simons; Sesko, Openda
We say: Mainz 05 0-1 RB Leipzig
Leipzig’s impressive defensive record, with five clean sheets in six matches, makes them strong favourites to continue their unbeaten run and extend their commendable Bundesliga streak to 18 games without a loss.
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