Preview: Mainz 05 vs. RB Leipzig - prediction, team news, lineups

Mainz 05 host RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday, which represents the second-bottom team facing the second-placed side in the table.

Julian Nagelsmann's side won the reverse fixture 3-1 in September.

Match preview

After a run of nine league matches without a win, Mainz's impressive run of 12 successive seasons in Germany's top flight appears to be coming to a crashing end.

The 2-0 home defeat to Wolfsburg on Tuesday leaves Bo Svensson's side 10 points from safety, with even FC Koln eight points ahead of them in the relegation playoff position.

Svensson could have little complaint with his team's defeat to the Wolves, with Mainz failing to muster a shot on target across the entire 90 minutes.

In truth it was a pretty flat game, with both of Wolfsburg's shots on target leading to goals in a clinical display, with a significantly better performance required from Mainz if they are to have any chance of gaining a positive result against Leipzig.

After dropping five points in two games against Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg, Leipzig's home match against Union Berlin was a must-win one in terms of keeping the pressure on league leaders Bayern Munich.

Nagelsmann's side were made to work hard for their 1-0 victory, which was no surprise given how tough Urs Fischer's side have been to get the better of this season.

Leipzig were just about worthy winners, though, having dominated possession and the shot count. Emil Forsberg proved to be the match-winner once again, coming off the substitutes' bench in the second half to fire his side ahead after a fine one-two with Dani Olmo.

In truth, a similarly controlled performance should see Leipzig earn another victory against Mainz, but Nagelsmann will still be demanding more from his players to ensure there are no avoidable slip-ups, which would surely see Bayern run away with things for yet another campaign given the Bavarians' kind run of fixtures.

Mainz 05 Bundesliga form: DLLLDL Mainz 05 form (all competitions): LLLLDW

RB Leipzig Bundesliga form: WDWLDW RB Leipzig form (all competitions): DWWLDW

Team News

Mainz will not have Jeremiah St Juste, Daniel Brosinski or Pierre Kunde available due to injury.

Top goalscorer Jean-Phillipe Mateta's time at Mainz appears have come to an end, with an 18-month loan move to Crystal Palace being completed on Thursday. The Eagles have an option to purchase the forward on a permanent basis.

Leipzig fans, meanwhile, will have to wait to see their new signing Dominik Szoboszlai in action due to the Hungary winger still recovering from an ankle injury.

As he often does, Nagelsmann is likely to shuffle his pack against Mainz, but defenders Benjamin Henrichs, Ibrahima Konate and Konrad Laimer will not travel with the squad due to injury.

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup: Zentner; Niakhate, Bell, Hack; Oztunali, Latza, Barreiro, Boetius, Mwene; Burkhardt, Quaison

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup: Gulasci; Orban, Upamecano, Halstenberg; Mukiele, Kampl, Sabitzer, Angelino; Forsberg, Olmo; Poulsen

We say: Mainz 05 0-2 RB Leipzig

Defensively, Leipzig have been the most impressive side in the Bundesliga this season, so it is difficult to envisage Mainz even scoring on Saturday having drawn a blank in each of their last four home games.

Nagelsmann's side should comfortably control the game, but may have to remain patient to find the breakthrough.

Top betting tip

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