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

Mainz 05 will be looking to end a winless run of three games when they host RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are aiming for back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

Match preview

© Reuters

Having been consistently on an upwards trajectory since Bo Svensson became Mainz's manager in January 2021, Die Nullfunfer have entered a minor sticky patch in the past few weeks.

A 1-1 draw at home against Hertha Berlin - a game which was salvaged by Anthony Caci's injury-time equaliser - has been sandwiched by away defeats to Hoffenheim and Freiburg, leaving Mainz in 12th position in the Bundesliga table.

With a six-point cushion above the relegation zone, there is certainly no reason for Svensson or his players to panic, but the 43-year-old will not want to see his side fall to a third defeat in four matches.

Saturday's test against Leipzig presents them with a fascinating challenge given their forthcoming opponents' general inconsistency so far this season, but there is little doubt that Mainz's defence will need to near the top of their game if they are to help their side gain a positive result.

© Reuters

Since drawing their opening two fixtures of the campaign, Leipzig's recent league results have followed a very clear pattern: loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, making them one of the most difficult teams to predict in the division.

However, it is still early days during Marco Rose's tenure after he replaced Domenico Tedesco in the dugout last month, and the former Borussia Dortmund boss will have been pleased by his team's two victories in the past week.

Timo Werner and Christopher Nkunku both bagged a brace in Die Roten Bullen's 4-0 thumping of rock-bottom VfL Bochum last weekend, before the Scottish Premiership champions Celtic were downed 3-1 at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday evening as Rose's side put their first points on the board in this season's Champions League group stage.

As such, Rose and his players can begin to look upwards both domestically and on the continent, but they must ensure that they do not get carried away with a slight upturn in form ahead of a tricky trip to Mainz on Saturday.

Team News

© Reuters

Svensson generally makes very few changes to his starting XI, but with central defender Maixim Leitsch currently out injured with a knock, Danny Da Costa started for the first time this season last time out against Freiburg.

Club captain Sven Widmer tucked inside to right centre-back and should start there once again at the weekend, while Marcus Ingvartsen and Marlon Mustapha join Leitsch on the treatment table.

Leipzig, meanwhile, lost goalkeeper Peter Gulasci to a knee injury during the win against Celtic on Wednesday, and Janis Blaswich is set to stand in as the Hungarian's deputy between the posts.

Aside from that, Rose is unlikely to make any changes from a winning starting XI, with Werner, Nkunku, Andre Silva and Dominik Szoboszlai forming a fearsome front four.

Lukas Klostermann and Konrad Laimer remain sidelined with ankle injuries, while Dani Olmo faces a race against time to be fit for the World Cup due to a knee issue.

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:

Zentner; Widmer, Hack, Bell; Da Costa, Kohr, Barreiro, Stage, Aaron; Burkardt, Onisiwo

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Blaswich; Simakan, Orban, Gvardiol, Raum; Kampl, Schlager; Szoboszlai, Nkunku, Werner; Silva

We say: Mainz 05 1-2 RB Leipzig

Rose seems to have decided attack is the best form of defence at Leipzig, and we can envisage them gaining a narrow victory as a result on Saturday.

Mainz have not looked at their best in recent times and, while they are never likely to be pushovers under Svensson, they may lack a bit of quality to get a positive result at the weekend.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.