Bundesliga | Gameweek 12

Dec 1, 2024 at 2.30pm UK

Mewa Arena

Mainzvs.Hoffenheim

Match preview

Mainz are just one point from sixth-placed Borussia Mönchengladbach, who currently occupy the Europa Conference League spot, and are only three points behind Borussia Dortmund, who hold the Europa League spot in the top flight.

The hosts were the better team against Holstein Kiel. They had 18 shots and created nearly 2.5 xG, while limiting their opponents to just seven attempts and less than 0.5 xG.

After the win, midfielder Nadiem Amiri singled out manager Bo Henriksen for praise, saying: "He gives us faith. "Of course, we play on the pitch, but if you have someone out who gives you that energy, then football becomes easier."

Henriksen's team also beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 on 9 November in their last league game. They've only lost one of their last six games in the top flight, with two draws and three wins.

Mainz have had a bit of a mixed run on the road this season. They drew once and won once in their last two league matches at Mewa Arena, but they did lose the three matches before that.

Opponents Hoffenheim will be delighted with their win against RB Leipzig, especially given they were able to overcome Die Roten Bullen despite trailing 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2.

Head coach Christian Ilzer said that his first game in charge of the German club couldn't have gone better. He told reporters: "It's a debut you couldn't imagine going better." The team has achieved a lot of what we set out to do. "I like the team's resilience. They have this mentality of always coming back after going behind three times and even winning."

However, Die Kraichgauer followed up their Bundesliga win with a 3-0 defeat against the Portuguese side Braga in the Europa League on Thursday. They were 2-0 down after just eight minutes.

The result left Hoffenheim in 25th place in the Europa League table, so they're likely to be knocked out unless they improve their current standing. They're just one place away from the round of 16 playoff spots, though.

Ilzer's side have had a tough time winning games recently. They've only won once in their last five games, but they've only lost once in their last six league games.

The visitors have drawn their last three away Bundesliga matches, but they did lose six of the previous seven away top-flight games.

Recent Performance

Mainz 05 Bundesliga form:WLDDWW

Mainz 05 form (all competitions):LDLDWW

Hoffenheim Bundesliga form:DWDLDW

Hoffenheim form (all competitions):WLDDWL

Team News

There are four players out with injuries for Mainz ahead of Sunday's game, including strikers Jonathan Burkardt, Nelson Weiper and Karim Onisiwo. The latter is expected to make his comeback in the next few days.

It looks like Armindo Sieb will be starting up front, and he might be supported in attack by Paul Nebel and Jae-sung Lee.

Wide player Gabriel Vidovic is also likely to miss out, so it'll be interesting to see if wing-backs Anthony Caci and Phillipp Mwene start on either side of centre-backs Danny da Costa, Stefan Bell and Dominik Kohr.

The visitors will be without Grischa Promel and Finn Becker, but Anton Stach and Tom Bischof are fit to play and will likely partner each other in midfield.

Hoffenheim won't be able to select defenders Ozan Kabak, Christopher Lenz and Florian Grillitsch, so it looks like Ilzer will start a defensive line consisting of Pavel Kaderabek, Stanley Nsoki, Arthur Chaves and Alexander Prass.

Bebou and Bulter are still out, so we'll probably see Tabakovic supported by Hlozek, Kramaric and Bruun Larsen.

Possible starting lineup

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:

Zentner; Da Costa, Bell, Kohr; Caci, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Nebel, Lee; Sieb

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:

Baumann; Kaderabek, Chaves, Nsoki, Prass; Stach, Bischof; Hlozek, Kramariz, Larsen; Tabakovic