Bundesliga | Gameweek 7

Oct 19, 2024 at 2.30pm UK

Mewa Arena

Mainz vs RB Leipzig

Match preview

Mainz have taken eight points from six games this term, leaving them 10th in the table, although they could be higher up the table if their form at home was healthier.

The 05er's record in Rhineland-Palatinate is only better than that of newly promoted Holstein Kiel (zero points), and they are level with four other clubs with one point from home games.

Bo Henriksen's men, on the other hand, have picked up seven points from a possible nine away from home, with Bayern (10 points from four games) their only superior side.

After two disappointing home defeats to Werder Bremen and Heidenheim, Mainz will be determined to avoid a third successive defeat at the MEWA-Arena.

Their current run is in stark contrast to their home form between January and May, when they lost just once in 10 games, won five and drew four, and they will be hoping to halt the slide against Leipzig.

Marco Rose's men have made an impressive start to the season, underlined by a six-match unbeaten run going into Saturday's visit to Mainz.

The Red Bulls' results have been built on a rock-solid defensive unit that has conceded just two goals, the fewest in the competition.

The goals conceded by the joint leaders came in their most impressive win of the season against Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena, where the Red Bulls came from 2-0 down to beat Xabi Alonso's side 3-2.

Although the end of Leverkusen's 35-match unbeaten run was followed by two goalless draws against Union Berlin and newly promoted St. Pauli, Rose's men have since secured back-to-back victories over Augsburg (4-0) and Heidenheim (1-0).

Leipzig's current six-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga has extended their 11-match unbeaten run at the end of last season, meaning they go into this weekend's game without a top-flight defeat in 17 matches.

While the Red Bulls are favourites to extend that run to 18 games, Rose's men will be looking to avoid a dip in form in a game they will start as heavy favourites to win.

Recent Performance

Mainz 05 Bundesliga form:

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RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:

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RB Leipzig form (all competitions):

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Injuries and suspensions

Mainz 05

22 Nikolas Veratschnig

9 Karim Onisiwo

31 Dominik Kohr

RB Leipzig

22 David Raum

39 Benjamin Henrichs

24 Xaver Schlager

20 Assan Ouédraogo

Possible starting lineups

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