Borussia Mönchengladbach – FSV Mainz
On Friday, the Bundesliga kicks off its final matchday before another international break. For the opener, two teams meet who probably do not have to make an exorbitant number of substitutions during this period. In the league, moreover, neither team has really got going yet. Find out which team will prevail in this important duel in our Gladbach – Mainz tip.
Mönchengladbach have yet to pick up a point at home, while Mainz have yet to pick up any points away from home. The Foals lost their first three home games for the first time in a Bundesliga season, with opponents Leverkusen, Bayern and Leipzig. Mainz, on the other hand, have never lost their first four away games in a Bundesliga season, but this could now be the first time they have done so.
In the previous week, however, there were completely different emotional states in the two teams. On the one hand, the Foals got their first win of the season and even dominated the game when they visited Bochum. Mainz also held their own, but were still beaten 3-0 by leaders Leverkusen in the end.
Gladbach – Mainz info:
- Date & Time: 06.10.2023, 20:30 Uhr
- Venue: Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 7
- TV coverage: DAZN
Gladbach Form & Balance Check
Coach Gerardo Seoane joined Gladbach in the summer and was expected to lead the team back to a higher ranking after a disappointing tenth place in the pre-season. However, the start of the new season was anything but ideal for the Foals.
Borussia only picked up two points from the first five games of the season and even lost all of their games on home turf. However, the opponents were also absolute top teams in the form of Leverkusen, Bayern and Leipzig. Last Saturday, however, Gladbach finally got their first win of the season, with a 3:1 in Bochum.
Pléa still important
Alassane Pléa is now one of the longest-serving professionals at Gladbach. In the summer of 2018, the Frenchman moved from Nice to the Niederrhein and even developed into an international player at VfL in the meantime. The attacker has already made 181 appearances for Borussia, contributing 51 goals and 44 assists.
In the current season, however, the now 30-year-old did not find his form at the start. In the first few games, Pléa did not do particularly well in the position behind the front line. In the double top position, however, the one-time French international found his old strength again in the previous week and scored his first two goals of the season.
Gladbach facts & analysis
- In 13th place in the Bundesliga
- Won 3:1 against Bochum in the previous week
- Only six Bundesliga wins in 2023
Mainz Form & Balance Check
Mainz 05 experienced a flight of fancy in the past Rückrunde. FSV developed there almost unstoppable and even headed towards Europe. In the end, the performance slackened somewhat and Mainz finished the season in ninth place. Coach Bo Svensson’s team, however, has not yet managed to build on the successes of the last second half of the season.
After six matchdays, FSV is in last place in the table with one point. The last time Mainz started the season this badly was in the horror first half of the 2020 season. However, the match against Leverkusen the previous week can give the zero-fivers hope. FSV played a good game against the league leaders, but still lost 3-0 in the end.
Fighting midfielders
Coach Bo Svensson loves the style of play of a strong defensive midfielder. The Nullfünfer squad currently includes Leandro Barreiro, Tom Krauß, Josuha Guilavogui, Dominik Kohr and Edimilson Fernandes, five players who would fit these attributes.
But that does not stop the Swede from playing as many of these players as possible at once. Fernandes has been playing in central defence since pre-season and Kohr has also been deployed there this season. In addition, Krauß missed only one Bundesliga match, while Barreiro was on the pitch for as much as 98 percent of all Bundesliga minutes.
Mainz facts & analysis
- In 18th place in the table
- Lost 0:3 against Leverkusen in the previous week
- Only one point from first six games
Predicted line-up – last update on 6 October 2023
Gladbacher recently showed two strong games in a row with the three-man backline and will probably also play in this system against Mainz. Coach Seoane also does not have much reason to change anything in the starting line-up due to the good performance. Only striker Cvancara could move back to the centre of the attack.
Mainz will also start the game with a three-man backline. However, FSV will probably only have one striker on the pitch, who will go by the name of Ludovic Ajorque on Friday. New signing Anwar El Ghazi could also make his starting eleven debut.
Gladbach – Mainz direct comparison & statistics
Gladbach have won 17 of their 41 direct duels with Mainz 05 so far, while FSV have picked up just 12 victories against Borussia on the other side. However, Mainz won both direct duels in the pre-season.
- Gladbach have not won any of their last five matches against Mainz.
- Gladbach’s last home win against Mainz was 25.01.2020
- Gladbach still without a home point and Mainz without an away point this season
