FSV Mainz 05 vs FC Schalke 04 Prediction (05.05.2023)

On Friday night, Mainz and Schalke go head-to-head at the MEWA Arena as both teams look for potentially vital points in the Bundesliga.

Bo Svensson’s team are in eighth place in the Bundesliga table, three points adrift of the top-six and the European spots. A 3-0 defeat at Wolfsburg last time out ended a ten-game unbeaten run in the Bundesliga.

The 05er's recent league games have been high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in four of their previous five matches in the Bundesliga.

Mainz is a strong home team, as the home team is unbeaten in their previous seven league matches in the Bundesliga, having recorded five wins and two draws. Svensson’s team have been prolific on home soil in the German top flight, having scored at least two goals in five of their last seven matches.

The Royal Blues have given themselves a chance of Bundesliga survival by recording two wins in their last three league games, including a 2-1 home win over Werder Bremen last time out. The problem is that Schalke have won just two of their previous seven matches in the Bundesliga.

The team from Gelsenkirchen are still well in the fight for survival, just a point adrift of 15th place Stuttgart and safety.

Schalke have a woeful recent away record in the German top flight, as the visitors have won just one of their previous 42 league games on their travels.

Mainz are without the injured Jonathan Burkardt, who won’t play again due to injury. Silvan Widmer is also an injury doubt after going off injured last time out.

Schalke could be without Moritz Jens, Cedric Brunner, Tim Skarke, Soichiro Kozuki, Justin Heekeren and Eder Balanta through various injuries.

Both teams need the victory to achieve their season objectives in the Bundesliga. I am backing Mainz to record a narrow win to boost their top-six chances.