Mainz vs RB Leipzig
German Bundesliga, KO: 14:30 Oct 19, 2024, MEWA Arena
Mainz go head-to-head against RB Leipzig on Saturday. Read our Predictions and Betting Tips with Match Preview, Head-to-head stats (h2h) and Team Form Analysis.
Our prediction for this Bundesliga match:
Leipzig will be aiming to overtake Bayern Munich in top position when they take on Mainz in the Bundesliga round 7. The Red Bulls were producing fine performances before the international window, beating both Augsburg (4-0) and Heidenheim (1-0) and they must be brimming with confidence ahead of the trip to Rhineland-Palatinate. The likes of Benjamin Henrichs, David Raum, Kevin Kampl, Assan Ouedraogo, and Xaver Schlager remain in the treatment room.
Die Nullfunfer, on the other hand, have been struggling at home this season, with the team losing to both Werder Bremen and Heidenheim, while sharing the spoils with Union Berlin. Given Leipzig’s fine form in the German top flight, we do not believe that the hosts are going to grab something from Saturday’s encounter. To make things even more difficult for the home side, midfielder Dominik Kohr is banned for the match due to the accumulation of yellow cards.
How the bookies view it: The visitors go in as favourites
Given that nobody in the Bundesliga has accumulated more points than RB Leipzig so far this season, it should come as no surprise that they are the favourites to win this match. BW777 have priced an away win at 9/10 while a win for Mainz has been priced at 11/4 by JLPH. The draw, which would be a good result for the hosts, has also been priced at 11/4.
Highlighted Player (Dominik Kohr):
Dominik Kohr is a product of Bayer Leverkusen’s youth school. The German midfielder was born in Tier on 31 January, 1994 and he made eight appearances for the Bundesliga side at senior level. He spent the 2014/2015 season on loan at Augsburg, playing 34 games for the club in the German elite division and his loan was made permanent at the end of the season (18 June, 2015).
He scored his first goal for the club from the penalty spot in a 1-0 win over Wolfsburg. Kohr has four caps for Germany U20 and he played for the U18 and the U19 teams in the past as well. Dominik Kohr is a central midfielder, but he is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder and a centre back as well.
He has a contract with Augsburg which expires on 30 June, 2019. Kohr played 26 games for Augsburg in the 2015/2016 Bundesliga campaign.
Recent head-to-head: Advantage Mainz
What does come as a surprise, however, is Mainz’s recent record against RB Leipzig. They are unbeaten over their last four meetings with Leipzig (two wins and two draws) and won last season’s corresponding fixture 2-0 in front of their home supporters.
RB Leipzig’s last win over Mainz came in 2022 but they haven’t won a match at the MEWA Arena since 2020.
Highlighted Team (Leipzig):
Leipzig are a professional football club founded in 2009. Die Bullen (The Bulls) were unbeaten in the 2012/2013 Regionalliga Nordost and, as a result, they secured promotion to the 3. Liga. After finishing the 2013/2014 as 3rd. Liga campaign in second place in the standings, Leipzig were promoted to the 2. Bundesliga and they competed in the German second tier for two seasons.
Despite suffering a loss to Karlsruher on the last day of the 2015/2016 round in the 2. Bundesliga campaign, die Bullen secured promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time ever. Leipzig play their home games at Red Bull Arena (42,959) and it has to be noted that the stadium was opened in 1954.
Die Bullen wear white shirts and red shorts while their away kit is blue and yellow. Ralph Hasenhuttl was appointed as the team’s manager at the end of the 2015/2016 season and you should know that the likes of Ralf Rangnick, Achim Beierlorzer, Alexander Zorniger, Peter Pacult, Tomas Oral and Tino Vogel were in charge of the team in the past as well.
Players to watch: Two forwards in good form
Mainz will take great confidence from their recent record against RB Leipzig but they will also take hope from the fact they have one of the most in-form strikers in the league so far this season. Jonathan Burkadt has scored five Bundesliga goals already this season with Omar Marmoush the only player to have more.
Burkadt’s early season form saw him called up to the German national team for the first time ever during the international break. While he failed to get on the scoresheet in his two substitute appearances for Germany, he is bound to have a spring in his step coming into this one.
RB Leipzig have a forward who has started the season very well, too. Lois Openda has stolen the limelight from Benjamin Sesko so far this campaign with four goals and one assist in six league appearances. He netted for Belgium against France during the international break and will be looking forward to this one.
Predicted line-ups
Mainz have a couple of players missing for this one with Dominik Kohr set to miss out due to suspension and Karim Onisiwo a doubt due to a thigh injury. RB Leipzig have more concerns with four players potentially missing. Experienced midfielder, Kevin Kampl, is in a race against time to be fit due to a groin problem.
Mainz: Zentner – Hanche-Olsen, Jenz, Leitsch – Caci, Amiri, Sano, Mwene – Hong, Lee – Burkardt
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi – Geertruida, Orban, Castello, Henrichs – Nusa, Haidara, Vermeeren, Simons – Openda, Sesko
Mainz vs RB Leipzig Prediction
RB Leipzig have been fairly quiet offensively at the start of the season relative to their immense potential.
However, a stubborn back line has been the main catalyst to their early successes. A record of four wins and two draws in the inaugural six rounds keeps RB Leipzig at the top of the Bundesliga standings.
The team led by Marco Rose shipped no more than two goals in the maiden six affairs and both of these goals have come in a 3-2 road victory over defending champions Bayer Leverkusen at the start of the campaign.
RB Leipzig have thus kept five clean sheets in the maiden six Bundesliga matches. They will fancy their chances of extending such a positive rhythm after the international break.
Die Rotten Bullen travel to MEWA ARENA to tackle Mainz in Matchday No 7 on Saturday afternoon.
Mainz have managed their second win of the season last weekend, beating St. auli 3-0 on the road.
They are in the middle of the league table with two wins, draws, and defeats apiece after six maiden fixtures.
Mainz claimed just one point in three home outings this season despite facing the likes of Union Berlin, Werder Bremen, and Heidenheim in the process.
They are now up against the joint-leaders who boast the best defensive record in the division with just two goals allowed in six matches.
RB Leipzig won four and drew two of six league affairs so far in the season. We have to find the value in backing their victory on Saturday at the odds of 1.80.
More value can be found in the Under 2.5 goals FT pick at the 2.20 odds. Four of the previous six head-to-head meetings between these counterparts finished with fewer than three goals scored.
