FSV Mainz 05 – VfL Bochum
Our Mainz – Bochum betting tip is: Mainz over 1.5 goals in the 1st half – 3.90 odds
- Mainz always scored twice in the first half in five of the last six games
- Mainz won the last six first halves in a row
- Bochum in eight league away games with 21 goals against already
On Saturday at noon, the duel between FSV Mainz 05 and VfL Bochum awaits us in the first Bundesliga Saturday conference in 2025. Both teams won their last league game and naturally want to start the new year with another win. While Mainz is now in fifth place in the table with 25 points, level on points with Dortmund and Bremen in sixth and seventh place, Bochum is still in last place, but has reduced the gap to 17th place to two points.
Mainz have only lost one of their last eight league games and are currently justifiably in the international places. Most recently, they beat Dortmund and Bayern, among others, as well as winning the neighborhood duel against Frankfurt 3-1 while playing with ten men. Despite the loss of top scorer Burkardt, Mainz are in an absolute scoring mood and have always scored at least twice in their last six games.
Bochum, on the other hand, recorded their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Heidenheim on the last match day. This means that Bochum have also remained unbeaten for the first time this season since two Bundesliga games in a row. However, Bochum’s away record is still very poor – they have lost seven times in eight Bundesliga games and only managed one draw. They have conceded 21 goals and scored only seven themselves. You can find out whether this record will continue or whether VfL will pull off an upset against Mainz, who are in great form, in our Mainz – Bochum tip.
Mainz – Bochum Info
- Date & Time: 11/01/2025, 3:30 pm
- Venue: Mewa Arena, Mainz
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 16
- TV broadcast/livestream: SKY
Mainz Form & record check
1. FSV Mainz 05 consider VfL Bochum one of their favorite opponents in the Bundesliga. They have won nine of the previous 12 meetings (two draws, one defeat), which corresponds to an impressive win rate of 75 percent – the highest value for Mainz in at least five duels against a club. Mainz have been particularly strong at home against Bochum: they have remained unbeaten in six home games, picking up five wins and a draw.
The current Bundesliga season has been exceptionally successful for Mainz 05. With 25 points from the first 15 games, they are playing their second-best season in club history. They have only had more points after this period in 2010/11 (30 points). Their three home wins in a row are proof of their strong form. The last time Mainz managed four consecutive home wins was from January to March 2023.
In terms of offense, Mainz 05 has been more clinical than ever this season: with 28 goals after 15 games, they have surpassed their previous best in the Bundesliga. At the same time, they rely on a stable formation, which is reflected in only 19 starting eleven changes – a low figure in the league. However, there is a lack of depth in their finishing, with just six players on the scoresheet, the fewest in the league.
Mainz without MVP Amiri
Mainz are also robust in the physical stakes: with 13 fouls per game, they are second in the league behind Bochum and Union Berlin. However, the three sending-offs this season illustrate the fine line between commitment and rule-breaking.
Nadiem Amiri is missing after being suspended, the first player this season to have to sit out a second match due to a sending off. Nevertheless, Amiri continues to impress with his style of play: no other player in Europe’s top five leagues records more ball wins (8.8) per 90 minutes. He also leads Mainz in the categories of passes, crosses and shot assists.
Paul Nebel, meanwhile, is continuing his strong form. With two double packs in December, he has scored four goals since the start of the twelfth match day, more than any other Bundesliga player except Patrik Schick.
Mainz Facts & Analysis
- Nine of twelve Bundesliga duels against Bochum won
- Second-best season in the club’s history
- 28 goals after 15 Bundesliga games – club record
Bochum Form & Balance Check
For VfL Bochum, the season has been extremely bumpy so far. After 16 winless Bundesliga games (three draws, 13 defeats), Bochum finally managed their first victory of the current season. This made VfL the last team in this Bundesliga season to score a win. However, the last ten Bundesliga wins were only followed by another success once, in spring 2024 (3:2 against Hoffenheim and 4:3 at Union Berlin).
Defensively, VfL was able to make a statement in the 2-0 win against Heidenheim. After 30 Bundesliga games with at least one goal conceded, the team kept a clean sheet for the first time again. This ended the longest run of clean sheets in club history. The last time they kept two consecutive clean sheets was in March 2023.
In offense, Bochum remains a problem child. With only 13 goals, they set a negative record that they last achieved in the 2000-01 season after 15 match days. Only FC St. Pauli scored fewer goals that season (twelve).
Bochum’s strength after the winter break
Despite the weak start to the season, Bochum have one strength: in the first Bundesliga game after the winter break, VfL have not been beaten six times in a row (five wins, one draw). No current Bundesliga club except Borussia Dortmund has a longer series.
Physically, Bochum is extremely committed, which is reflected in 14 fouls per game – the highest in the league together with Union Berlin. However, this style of play has also led to disciplinary problems, as three dismissals this season show. Bochum also has one of the oldest starting lineups in the league (28 years, 177 days).
Bochum Facts & Analysis
- First win in last BL game
- First clean sheet after 30 games
- First six-game unbeaten streak after winter break
Mainz will be back to playing in the practiced 3-4-2-1 system under the leadership of coach Bo Henriken. They will have to do without their leader and key player Amiri, who will be replaced by Kohr.
Bochum will play in a 3-5-2 system again under coach Dieter Hecking. After their first win of the season, they will hope to pick up more points.
Mainz – Bochum Head to Head & Statistics
The head-to-head comparison between Mainz 05 and VfL Bochum shows that both teams have played each other 22 competitive games so far. Mainz 05 have won twelve of these encounters, while Bochum have recorded six wins. Four games ended in a draw. The goal difference also favors Mainz with 35:28. The matches are spread across twelve Bundesliga duels, eight encounters in the 2nd Bundesliga and two matches in the DFB Cup.
Direct Comparison (H2H)
