Bundesliga | Gameweek 16

Jan 11, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

Mewa Arena

Mainz vs VfL Bochum

Match preview

Having not finished in the top eight since the 2015-16 campaign, this season is shaping up to be a special one for Mainz as they prepare to return to league action with 25 points from their first 15 games.

Die Nullfunker ended 2024 on a high, winning five of their last six games, the most recent being an impressive 3-1 away win over third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.

The result was Bo Henriksen's seventh win of the season, the same number of victories as in the entire 2023-24 campaign, and they are now just 10 points off the 35-point haul they achieved last term.

The hosts are unbeaten in their last three home games, but will be keen to improve their record at the Mewa-Arena in the second half of the season, having taken just 11 points from a possible 24 on their home turf.

Next up for Mainz is Bochum, a side they beat 2-0 at the same venue in March last year to extend their unbeaten league run against them to five games (W4 D1 L0).

Having survived the relegation play-offs last season, Bochum have struggled this term, taking just six points from their opening 15 league games.

Die Unabsteigebaren went into the December break with their first win of the season at home to Heidenheim, but they have not won back-to-back league games since May 2024, when they beat Hoffenheim and Union Berlin.

It is worth noting that the Blues went six games unbeaten in their first match after the winter break (W5 D1 L0), a record only matched by Borussia Dortmund in the top flight.

However, their away form this term suggests that record could be in serious jeopardy this weekend, with Dieter Hecking's men having picked up just one point in eight Bundesliga games away from home this season, while conceding two or more goals in five of those outings.

Recent Performance

Mainz 05 Bundesliga form:WWWLWW

VfL Bochum Bundesliga form:DLLLDW

Team News

Mainz will be without the services of Nadiem Amiri this weekend, as the midfielder serves the first of a two-match ban for his red card in last month's win over Frankfurt.

The Germany international will be joined on the sidelines this week by Silvan Widmer and Gabriel Vidovic, who are out until the end of January with calf and ankle injuries respectively.

Bochum will also be without the services of Koji Miyoshi this weekend after he was shown a straight red in the 1-1 draw at Union Berlin in the penultimate match of the season.

Gerrit Holtmann picked up a groin strain in the same game that kept him out of the win over Heidenheim, but the striker has reportedly resumed training and could return to the squad this weekend.

Possible starting lineup

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:

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

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:

Drewes; Oermann, Ordets, Bernardo; Passlack, Bero, Losilla, Sissoko, Wittek; Broschinski, Hofmann