On Sunday afternoon, Hoffenheim and Mainz go head-to-head as both teams aim to return to winning ways in the Bundesliga.
Hoffenheim form guideThe side from Sinsheim is currently in sixth place in the table, just four points off the Champions League spots. Despite their relatively respectable league position, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team have won just one of their previous four league games after a 1-1 draw at Augsburg last time out.
The Augsburg match ended a run of high-scoring games for Hoffenheim, as their previous five league matches had all produced over 2.5 goals.
Hoffenheim have a woeful recent home record in the Bundesliga, as they lost four of their previous five games in the German top-flight. Their recent home games have at least not lacked goals, with over 2.5 goals scored in their last eight outings in the league.
The fact that they have conceded at least two goals in five of their previous six home matches has undoubtedly played a significant role in the high-scoring games.
Mainz form guideThe O5ers are in 16th place in the Bundesliga table, occupying the relegation play-off spot. Despite their precarious league position, Jan Siebert’s team are currently unbeaten in three Bundesliga games after a 0-0 draw against Darmstadt last time out.
On the flip side, though, they have won just once in their previous 16 league games dating back to last season.
Mainz’s recent league outings have been relatively high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in seven of their previous nine Bundesliga outings.
The visitors have failed to win in ten league games on their travels but have drawn their previous three Bundesliga matches away from home.
What am I backing?Both teams head into this clash on the back of unconvincing form. I think this will be a high-scoring game, which is why the bet I am backing is over 2.5 goals scored.