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FSV Mainz vs. VfB Stuttgart
Crunch time has also begun in the Bundesliga and the 30th matchday of the current season will kick off on Saturday. For many teams, there is still a lot at stake and above all the relegation battle is once again enormously exciting this year. Currently, three teams are actively fighting against relegation, including Stuttgart, who visit Mainz on Saturday. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team is currently in the first non-relegation place, but the lead over the relegation and direct relegation places is only one point.
Mainz, on the other hand, have had nothing to do with relegation from the start, which can be considered a complete success after last season. However, the European places are now also out of reach and so the journey seems to be heading into solid no-man’s land. Find out who we think will come out on top in this match in our Mainz – Stuttgart tip.
Mainz – Stuttgart info:
– Date & Time: 16.04.2022, 15:30 Uhr
– Venue: Mewa Arena (Mainz)
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 30
– TV.broadcast: Sky Sport
Mainz Form & Balance Check
How FSV could still lose the match against Cologne on the last matchday, the 05ers probably don’t know exactly themselves. After a comfortable and absolutely deserved lead with two goals, they still lost 2:3 in the end. This defeat probably also stifled their last hopes of participating in the international competition. The gap to 6th place in the table is six points and Mainz no longer have it in their own hands. They would actually have to win all their remaining games in the final spurt of the season and that is almost impossible.
The two faces of FSV Mainz 05
It is extremely amazing how the performances of Bo Svensson’s team differ in home and away games. While FSV perform at Champions League level in their own stadium, they play like a relegated team away from home, based on the number of points. They have only eight points and two wins after 15 away games. Only the relegation candidates Fürth and Hertha are even weaker away from home. Nevertheless, you have to put the season in the right context, as Mainz were almost relegated last year. Therefore, it might not be a bad thing for the team’s development if it doesn’t experience a double burden yet.
Mainz facts & analysis
– They have conceded the fewest goals of all Bundesliga teams in home games (8).
– Mainz score an average of 2 goals per home game
– Jonathan Burkardt is the top scorer with 10 goals
Stuttgart form & balance check
In Stuttgart, they will be happy with the development of the last few weeks despite the defeat on the last matchday. The team has rediscovered its fighting spirit and won twice after trailing. Even if they still have big problems away from home, the performances are at least right again in their own stadium. VfB was by no means the worse team against BVB and could even have taken a point with a bit of luck. Now it’s a matter of collecting enough points in the final weeks of the season to avoid their third relegation in six years.
The weeks of truth begin
There are just five matchdays to go in this Bundesliga season. Stuttgart are in a neck-and-neck race with Bielefeld and Hertha in the fight against relegation. The lead over the two rivals is just one point and next week they face Hertha in a direct duel at the Olympiastadion. If they want to keep the class directly this season, they have to win this game. In general, all of VfB’s opponents in the season finale, with the exception of FC Bayern, are within the realms of possibility. It’s going to be a really hot season finale and Stuttgart are right in the middle of it.
Stuttgart facts & analysis
– No player in the VfB squad has scored 5 or more goals this season.
– Stuttgart are still winless away from home in the second half of the season.
– They have scored in each of their last 4 away games
Predicted line-up – last update on 14 April 2022
For the home side, Hack is out in central defence, plus Aaron Martin is suspended with a yellow card. Nemeth is the first central replacement, Lucoqui starts for Martin. Boetius could bring a breath of fresh air offensively. Stuttgart have to do without Endo and Karazor, so Matarazzo is forced to make changes. The most likely option is with Anton and Führich in the centre. In attack, the Swabians are longing for the return of Kalajdzic, who is back in the team after a Covid infection.
Mainz – Stuttgart direct comparison & statistics
In total, the direct comparison in the Bundesliga goes to the Stuttgart side, as VfB have emerged victorious twelve times from 27 direct duels. However, Mainz also have nine victories and FSV have already shown that they can do it against the Swabians.
– Stuttgart won the first leg with 2:1
– Of the last 8 games, none has ended in a draw.
– Stuttgart have won only one of their last 11 matches in Mainz
