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

Desperate to escape the Bundesliga's automatic relegation zone, Mainz 05 will welcome a resurgent Wolfsburg to MEWA Arena on Saturday.

Die Nullfunfer are looking to bounce back from defeat last time out, while Die Wolfe are hoping for a fourth win in seven top-flight games this weekend.

Match preview

Under Bo Henriksen, Mainz lost nine, drew three and won just one of their opening 13 league matches this season, leaving them in dire straits in the lower reaches of the table, but it would be fair to say that there has been a significant turnaround since Urs Fischer took charge.

The current manager was appointed on December 7 and oversaw a six-game unbeaten run across all competitions before finally tasting defeat for the first time last weekend, when Die Nullfunfer were downed 2-1 by FC Koln.

That loss left Fischer's side 17th in the Bundesliga, where they are now just one point behind Heidenheim, who occupy the division's relegation playoff spot.

However, Mainz remain four short of guaranteed safety, and considering that they are only ahead of bottom club St Pauli on goal-difference, it would be fair to say that the outcome of this match could have a major impact on the fight for survival.

Keen to separate themselves from Kiezkicker this weekend, the hosts will take confidence from their record at MEWA Arena, which features three wins, three draws and just one defeat from their last seven home clashes.

Meanwhile, Wolfsburg have endured a campaign that resembles that of their opponents in a number of ways - beginning with a manager that left the club in crisis, before a new face in the dugout sparked some momentum.

In Die Wolfe's case, Daniel Bauer succeeded Paul Simonis and has collected 11 of the club's 19 points since taking over on an initial interim basis on November 9, 2025.

Most recently, the White and Greens followed up a 2-1 victory over St Pauli with a 1-1 draw with Heidenheim last Saturday, proving that their 8-1 demolition at the hands of Bayern Munich was just a one-off.

Taking four points from those outings has seen Wolfsburg climb up to 12th in the Bundesliga, a solid mid-table position from where they are now six points clear of the bottom three.

As Die Wolfe aim to continue their upward trajectory, fans of the visitors will be cautiously optimistic given that Bauer has only lost once on the road so far (that January 11 thrashing by Bayern), but they will also be concerned that the new boss is yet to keep a clean sheet since his appointment.

Mainz 05 Bundesliga form:

Mainz 05 form (all competitions):

Wolfsburg Bundesliga form:

Team News

Mainz are once again light in defence without Andreas Hanche-Olsen, though he and fellow centre-back Maxim Dal - who has been sidelined since May 2025 with an ACL injury - could return to action next month.

In that same vein, goalkeeper Robin Zentner, as well as left wing-backs Nikolas Veratschnig and Phillipp Mwene, and right wing-back Anthony Caci, are all anticipated to be sidelined this weekend.

Looking to plug the gaps until his stars return, Fischer could opt for a back three of Dominik Kohr, Stefan Bell and Kacper Potulski, flanked by the versatile Danny da Costa and Silvan Widmer in front of shot-stopper Daniel Batz.

As for Wolfsburg, they are also missing a number of defenders for this clash, including left-backs Joakim Maehle and Rogerio, while centre-half Jenson Seelt is a doubt due to illness.

If the latter is unavailable, expect to see Moritz Jenz and Konstantinos Koulierakis at centre-back, with Sael Kumbedi and Aaron Zehnter at full-back.

In the middle third, Maximilian Arnold is suspended, and with 19-year-old Bence Dardai out for the season, Vinicius Souza could make his first appearance in five matches alongside Yannick Gerhardt in a double pivot.

Elsewhere, striker Jonas Wind will sit this game out with a thigh injury, though Mohamed El Amine Amoura should be on hand to start up top, supported by Christian Eriksen, Lovro Majer and Patrick Wimmer.

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:

Batz; Kohr, Bell, Potulski; Da Costa, Sano, Amiri, Widmer; Nebel, Lee; Tietz

Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:

Grabara; Kumbedi, Jenz, Koulierakis, Zehnter; Souza, Gerhardt; Eriksen, Majer, Wimmer; Amoura