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RB Leipzig vs. FSV Mainz
This weekend, the German Bundesliga will start into the new year as the last European top league. With matches like Bayern – Gladbach (Bayern vs Gladbach tip) or Leipzig – Mainz all wishes of German football fanatics will be fulfilled. The latter is what we want to talk about today. We take a closer look at the red bulls and the 05ers and give you a well-founded forecast for this match. Here in our Leipzig – Mainz tip you will find everything you need to know for a good bet.
The RB men will be glad that this year is finally over. After key players like Sabitzer, Upamecano and coach Nagelsmann left the club for Munich in the summer, the Bullen never really got going. Hopeful Jesse Marsch has already been dismissed and ex-Schalker Domenico Tedesco is supposed to lead the Brauseklub back to the top third of the table.
At FSV, on the other hand, the run and euphoria of last season continues. Bo Svensson has turned Mainz, a relegation candidate, into a more than decent Bundesliga team in a very short time. With 24 points, they are currently in ninth place, which can be seen as a great success.
Leipzig – Mainz Info
– Date & Time: 08.01.2022 at 15:30 hrs.
– Venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 18
– TV broadcast: Sky
Leipzig Form & Balance Check
This season has certainly been different for the club leaders in Leipzig. Although the departures of last summer weigh heavily, they were in principle well staffed. With Jesse Marsch, Simakan, Gvardiol and Co, the Saxons have strengthened themselves well and the resulting gaps could be closed. Nevertheless, it can be said that the first half of the season was a failure for the red bulls. With currently 22 points, RB is in tenth place, which is clearly below their own expectations. On the positive side, there are only six points between Leipzig and a Champions League place. This means that Domenico Tedesco and his boys still have every chance of ending this season on a positive note.
It’s getting tight
Nominally, RB has a very strong squad. Not only at the top, but also across the board they are very well positioned. However, despite the good squad, things are starting to get tight. Especially in the offensive. Starting with Haidara and Moriba, who are not available due to the Africa Cup. Add to that Dani Olmo, who is rebuilding after a long injury, and Emil Forsberg, who recently picked up a muscular injury that will make him miss at least eight weeks.
As if that wasn’t enough, both key players Andre Silva and Christopher Nkunku returned from the winter break with a Corona infection. This makes things very tight for the Saxons in terms of personnel. Fortunately, Yussuf Poulsen is ready to play again after tearing his muscle fibre.
Leipzig facts & analysis
– Currently in 10th place
– Far below their own expectations
– Major injury worries, especially on the offensive side
– Only six points off a CL place
Mainz Form & Balance Check
Mainz are still on an absolute roll. Last year they were still on the brink of relegation to the second division. But then came Bo Svensson, the messiah. With him, the 05ers went on an impressive run and secured their place in the league before the end of the season. This good form continues this season. With 24 points, they are currently in ninth place in the table. In addition, they have the third-best defence in the league, just behind Freiburg and Bayern. The last few months for Mainz fans must feel like a fairytale. If someone had claimed a year ago that Mainz had the better league position in their duel with RB, everyone would probably have thought them not quite sane.
An even better defence soon?
The Mainz defensive bulwark of captain Niakhate, player opener Alexander Hack and identification figure Stefan Bell did their job more than properly. With 17 goals conceded, they have only conceded one more than Bayern or Freiburg. However, there is still someone missing. Jeremiah St. Juste, who was a regular at the beginning of the season, has had to sit out the last ten games due to a shoulder injury. However, he is on the way to his comeback. It could be that the currently fastest player in the Bundesliga will get his first minutes of action in the new year against RB.
Mainz facts & analysis
– Mainz currently in 9th place
– Third best defence in the league with 17 goals conceded
– St. Juste on the verge of a comeback
– Better league position than the upcoming opponent from Leipzig
Predicted line-up – last update on 6 January 2022
Domenico Tedesco won’t have many options with his starting eleven. With Mukiele and Henrichs affected by Corona, the defence lines up on its own. In addition, Kampl and Adams are the only central midfielders ready for action. The same game applies in the offensive. Alongside Poulsen and Szoboszlai, a youth player will probably complete the offensive trio, as the rest of the team is not available. Things are a little better at FSV Mainz. Bo Svensson will only have to do without Ingvartsen, Niakhate and Kohr. The 05 captain will be replaced by Widmer in central defence and Brisinski on the right side.
Leipzig – Mainz direct comparison & statistics
Mainz have won both of their last two matches. The win against RB last season was Bo Svensson’s first in the Bundesliga. In addition, Leipzig could become the first team against which the Mainz coach has three wins. However, the red bulls are still unbeaten at home against Mainz. In five games, the Saxons celebrated four wins and one draw. In addition, RB celebrated the highest victory in its Bundesliga history against Mainz. The 05ers were shot out of the stadium with 8:0 in November 2019.
– Last two duels won by Mainz
– Victory last year was the first Bundesliga win for Bo Svensson
– Leipzig still unbeaten at home against Mainz
– 8-0 win in November 2019 was RB’s highest win in the Bundesliga
