Preview: Mainz 05 vs FC Koln - prediction, team news, lineups

In each side's first Bundesliga game of 2025-26, Mainz 05 will welcome FC Koln to Mewa Arena on Sunday.

Mainz's sixth-placed finish in the Bundesliga last term was enough to secure a place in the Conference League qualifiers, and they begin their top-flight campaign against newly-promoted Koln, who earned promotion after winning the 2. Bundesliga.

Match preview

The hosts' points tally of 52 in 2024-25 was their best total since 2013-14, and it was just the fifth time that they had qualified for a European competition.

Head coach Bo Henriksen guided his side to Europe thanks to his strong defensive tactics, with his side conceding just 1.3 goals per match last term, a figure only bettered by St Pauli (1.2) and Bayern Munich (0.9).

Karnevalsverein have played out three stalemates with the visitors in each of their past three encounters, drawing 1-1 twice and 0-0 once in those fixtures.

Mainz triumphed 1-0 against Dynamo Dresden in the DFB-Pokal on August 18, but they were beaten 2-1 by Rosenborg in the first leg of the sides' Conference League qualifying tie on Thursday.

Henriksen's team proved difficult to beat at home in the Bundesliga in 2024-25, avoiding defeat in each of their final 12 matches at Mewa Arena - winning six times - but they did draw each of their last five at the stadium that season.

FC Koln returned to the top-flight at the first time of asking, ending their 2. Bundesliga campaign with 61 points after 34 league fixtures.

Boss Lukas Kwasniok's side netted 53 times last season, but they were outscored by 10 of the other 17 teams in the second tier.

The Billy Goats began 2025-26 with a 2-1 victory against Regensburg in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 17, though they were fortunate considering both of their goals were scored in second-half stoppage time.

When factoring in their five friendly fixtures, Koln are unbeaten in nine outings, winning on seven occasions while netting at least twice in each game.

The visitors' displays on the road at the end of 2024-25 were mixed considering they lost two, drew one and achieved victory in three of their final five away matches.

Mainz 05 form:

FC Koln form:

Team News

Mainz head into the weekend's clash with all of their first-team stars fit, so there is no reason to suggest that centre-backs Danny da Costa, Stefan Bell and Dominik Kohr will not play.

Midfielders Kaishu Sano and Nadiem Amiri were vital for the club in their successful European pursuit last term, and the duo will almost certainly be trusted together on Sunday.

Benedict Hollerbach was signed as a replacement for striker Jonathan Burkardt, who left to join Eintracht Frankfurt, and the new number nine will start.

Should Koln utilise a back three, Joel Schmied, Timo Hubers and Kristoffer Lund will come into manager Kwasniok's thinking.

Central midfielders Eric Martel and Isak Bergmann Johannesson may be stationed together in a double pivot against Mainz.

Jan Thielmann and Jakub Kaminsk could be asked to play in supportive roles behind centre-forward Luca Waldschmidt.

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:

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

FC Koln possible starting lineup:

Schwabe; Schmied, Hubers, Lund; Sebulonsen, Martel, Johannesson, Maina; Thielmann, Kaminski; Waldschmidt

We say: Mainz 05 2-0 FC Koln

Considering FC Koln struggled for goals in the 2. Bundesliga, they may find it difficult to gain a foothold if they were to concede first on Sunday.

Mainz should be seen as overwhelming favourites given they are facing a promoted side, and an early goal would almost certainly allow them to create chances during counter-attacks when Koln push forward.

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