On Saturday afternoon, Mainz will look to move closer to Bundesliga safety as they host Hoffenheim at the MEWA Arena.
Mainz has given themselves a survival boost in recent weeksBo Henriksen’s team are unbeaten in three Bundesliga games after a 4-0 home win over fellow strugglers Darmstadt. The win followed on from a 2-0 home victory over Bochum and an impressive 0-0 draw at RB Leipzig.
The recent run of form has moved the O5ers to within three points of the safety of 15th place in the Bundesliga table.
Mainz’s recent home record is also promising. They are unbeaten in five matches and have won three of their last four league matches on home soil.
A strong defence has been a significant factor in those recent stellar home results, as Mainz have conceded just one goal in their last four home matches in the Bundesliga.
The solid defensive record has contributed to under 2.5 goals being scored in nine of their last ten home matches.
Hoffenheim revived their European challenge against AugsburgThe side from Sinsheim ended a three-game losing streak in the Bundesliga with a 3-1 home win over Augsburg. The victory revived their chances of a top-six finish this season.
However, they still trail sixth-place Eintracht Frankfurt by six points. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team has been involved in several high-scoring outings recently, with over 2.5 goals scored in their last six matches in the German top flight.
Hoffenheim have been travel sick lately in the Bundesliga, winning just one of their last eight away games. That poor run includes suffering six defeats.
The visitors have been poor defensively away from home in the Bundesliga, conceding at least two goals in ten of their previous 11 matches.
What am I backing?Mainz seems to have built up some positive momentum of late, and I am backing the home team to record another victory in this clash.
