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FSV Mainz vs. 1. FC Köln
The international break is over. Finally, club football continues. Finally, football fans have something meaningful to do at the weekend again. In addition, there is a real top match in the Bundesliga on Sunday with Mainz against Cologne. Our Mainz – Cologne betting tips will tell you everything you need to know about this match. Both teams play with a lot of emotion. In addition, both are in relatively good form this season. Another parallel between these clubs is that both take a lot of energy from their fans. Therefore, it is possible that the Mainzers will be able to put a little more power on the pitch due to their home advantage.
FSV Mainz is arguably one of the best teams in the Bundesliga season in and season out. Last year they were on the verge of relegation when coach Svensson took over. After that, a different wind blew. They had an unbelievable end-of-season spurt, which meant that in the end they had nothing to do with relegation. The Mainz team took this run with them into the new season. This also explains their current very good seventh place in the table.
A new coach and things start to go better. This phenomenon is also alive and well at 1. FC Köln. The signing of Steffen Baumgart as coach was probably the best decision in the club’s recent history. With their new energetic full-throttle football, Cologne have gone from being a grey mouse to a feared opponent for all Bundesliga teams.
Mainz – Cologne info
– Date & Time: 21.11.2021 at 17:30 hrs.
– Venue: MEWA Arena, Mainz
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 12
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Mainz Form & Balance Check
As mentioned earlier, FSV Mainz are unrecognisable under Bo Svensson. After the incredible season-ending spurt last year, Mainz were currently on the verge of a European ranking. Nobody would have believed that a year ago. At the beginning of the season, they directly sent a signal to all opponents with a victory over Leipzig. However, every team has its ups and downs. In the last few games, Mainz got back on track after an interim dip in form. While two compulsory wins were collected against teams like Augsburg and Bielefeld, the Palatinate side also managed to pick up a point against Gladbach. Cologne is now the second stronger opponent in a row. However, they also know that they don’t have to hide from anyone this season.
Good news and bad news
FSV have had a couple of banged up players to lament over the last week. Among them Mark Uth and Anderson Lucoqui. Good news for one, rather bad news for the other. Anderson Lucoqui, the 24-year-old full-back, will probably miss several weeks for FSV Mainz, as he suffered a serious injury to his inner ligament during training. There is all the better news regarding Mark Uth. After a short break with a cold, the striker is now back in team training and is therefore also a starting candidate for Sunday’s match.
Mainz facts & analysis
– Mainz with a strong run at the start of the season
– Small dip in form was overcome
– 7 points from last 3 games
– Home games are a strength of the Mainz side
– Mark Uth back in training
Cologne form & balance check
Under Steffen Baumgart, FC give the impression of being a true top team. At the beginning of the season, they recorded three wins, three draws and a very narrow defeat against Bayern from seven games. After that, things took a turn for the worse. Midfielder Skhiri suffered a serious injury that kept him out for several weeks, Jonas Hector was ill and so fate took its course and Cologne went down 5:0 against Hoffenheim. In the following game, the derby against Leverkusen, they showed morale as they managed to turn a 2:0 deficit into a 2:2, but they did not get more than one point for it. Against BVB and Union Berlin, there were also two disappointing results. So it is clear that Cologne is currently in a slump of form. However, it has to be said that there is reason for hope.
Great comeback
Finally he is back on the training pitch. Ellyes Skhiri is back in Cologne. After weeks of injury, the midfield engine reports back ready for action. That Skhiri is the backbone of the team is evident from the statistics. With the 26-year-old Tunisian, Cologne only lost once against Bayern. Without him, it went in exactly the opposite direction. Not a single three-pointer could be won without him. That is why it is all the more important that Skhiri is back in the line-up. The question remains whether it will be enough for the starting eleven.
Cologne facts & analysis
– Cologne with a very strong start to the season.
– Things have gone downhill since the injury to Skhiri
– Not one win without him
– Skhiri to make comeback on Sunday
Predicted line-up – last update on 19 November 2021
FSV Mainz will play in their usual 3-5-2, with Boetius and Lee slightly forward. The forward duo of Burkardt and Onisiwo will pose major problems for the Cologne defence. However, the defence is complete again. In addition to the back four, in which Kilian and Hübers are fighting for a starting spot, Skhiri returns to the six-man position. In the FC’s offensive, Uth and Modeste are still responsible for goal threat.
Mainz – Cologne direct comparison & Statistics
The balance in this carnival duel is almost as even as it could be. In 33 encounters so far, 13 Cologne victories have been offset by 12 Mainz successes. In addition, there have been eight point-splits. In addition, no home team has won in the last three games. There is not really an overweight of one team in the last years.
– Very balanced record
– In the last three games no home team could win
– Mainz in much better form than Cologne
– Important Skhiri comeback for FC
