Preview: Hoffenheim vs Mainz 05 - prediction, team news, lineups

Hoffenheim's clash with visitors Mainz 05 at PreZero Arena on Saturday could be key in the race for top four and Bundesliga survival.

Sitting in fifth place with 50 points, the hosts are only three points from third, whereas their opponents are 11th with 30 points and could move nine clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

There are only seven matchweeks remaining following Hoffenheim's damaging 5-0 defeat against RB Leipzig on March 20, a game in which they trailed 4-0 by the half-time interval.

Leipzig's victory moved them above the hosts into fourth due to their superior goal difference, while Stuttgart are three points ahead in third, though that points gap could shrink given they play Saturday's hosts in matchweek 32.

Boss Christian Ilzer's side have hit a stumbling block in recent weeks having suffered three defeats in their last seven matches, taking a total of eight points from a possible 21.

They scored one or fewer goals four times in that stretch - they had netted at least two goals in five of their prior seven outings - and they also conceded on 16 occasions in those clashes.

Die Kraichgauer's record at home has room for improvement considering they have drawn one and lost one of their past two at PreZero Arena, though they did win their prior eight at the ground.

Mainz emerged as 2-1 victors against Eintracht Frankfurt on March 22 before the international break, and that win extended their unbeaten streak to seven games in all competitions, while it was also their third consecutive triumph.

Manager Urs Fischer cannot take safety for granted, as while his side boast a six-point advantage on St Pauli in the 16th-placed relegation spot, two of their next three league clashes come against Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich.

The visitors will be looking for their first win in three games against their hosts, with the clubs having drawn 1-1 in the reverse fixture in November 2025.

Mainz may have conceded against Frankfurt, but that was the first time they failed to keep a clean sheet in four games, and they have also scored exactly two goals in three of their past four matches.

Die Nullfunfer are undefeated in three away fixtures - two stalemates and one victory - and they were only beaten in two of their previous six on the road.

Hoffenheim Bundesliga form:

Mainz 05 Bundesliga form:

Mainz 05 form (all competitions):

Team News

Hoffenheim's first-team squad are largely available, though key midfiedler Leon Avdullahu is struggling with a groin problem, and he will not make his 27th league start.

Grischa Promel may play in a deep role in the middle of the pitch, supported by by number eight Wouter Burger and attacking midfielder Andrej Kramaric.

Fisnik Asllani is set to lead the line, and he will hope to score a ninth Bundesliga goal, but he will need service from the likes of Alexander Prass and Bazoumana Toure.

Mainz are unfortunately still in the midst of an injury crisis, with up to eight players at risk of missing out, including centre-back Andreas Hanche-Olsen and striker Benedict Hollerbach.

Danny da Costa, Stefan Posch and Dominik Kohr may be named together in a back three, while Phillip Tietz and Sheraldo Becker could partner each other up front.

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:

Baumann; Coufal, Kabak, Hajdari, Bernardo; Promel, Burger; Prass, Kramaric, Toure; Asllani

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:

Batz; Da Costa, Posch, Kohr; Widmer, Nebel, Sano, Lee, Mwene; Tietz, Becker