On Wednesday evening, Mainz host Dortmund at the MEWA Arena as both teams look to secure potentially vital Bundesliga points.
Mainz form guideThe home team head into this clash on the back of a five-game winless run in the Bundesliga. Last time out, the 05ers drew 1-1 with Stuttgart. The game was the third straight match to produce under 2.5 goals.
Bo Svensson’s teams’ recent league form has them in danger of slipping towards the relegation zone. In fact, they are now just five points clear of the relegation play-off spot and one point clear of the automatic relegation zone.
Mainz’s recent home form has not been great, as they have won just one of their last eight league games on home form. However, five of those home games have finished in draws.
Dortmund form guideBVB returned to Bundesliga action after the break with a 4-3 home win over Augsburg. The win was needed as they suffered back-to-back league defeats against Wolfsburg and Monchengladbach before the World Cup.
The poor pre-World Cup run of form saw Dortmund drop to sixth place in the Bundesliga table, two points adrift of the Champions League.
Despite poor results, Dortmund’s recent Bundesliga games have been highly entertaining, as seven of their last nine league games have produced over 2.5 goals.
BVB’s recent away record has been poor, as they have lost five of their last six matches on their travels in the Bundesliga. One of the biggest factors in their poor away record is conceding too many goals, as the visitors have conceded at least two goals in five of their last six games on their travels.
Latest team newsMainz are without Marlon Mustapha through injury, while Dominik Kohr is ruled out through suspension. Robin Zentner, Jonathan Burkardt and Delano Burgzorg are also fitness doubts. Dortmund are expected to be without Mateu Morey and Thomas Meunier through injury, while midfielder Jude Bellingham is suspended.
What am I backing?Mainz has been on a poor run of league form, while Dortmund has been travel sick of late. The bet I am backing is for both teams to score, as both are vulnerable in defence while still providing an attacking threat at the other end of the pitch.
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