FSV Mainz – Bayern Munich
Julian Nagelsmann picked up a win and a draw in his first two duels as coach of the German national team against the USA and Mexico. This weekend, however, it’s back to the Bundesliga with matchday 8 on the schedule. In the top match on Saturday evening, it is now a matter of keeping up with the top of the table for his former team. Whether the Munich team will succeed with a win at the MEWA Arena, you can find out in our Mainz – Bayern tip.
For the guests from Munich, the upcoming opponent from Mainz probably has a special place in their hearts. After all, thanks to Mainz’s 2-2 draw in Dortmund on Matchday 34 of the 2022/23 season, FC Bayern actually secured its eleventh consecutive championship.
However, the Munich team won’t be giving Mainz a win out of gratitude on Saturday. After all, FCB needs every point at the moment, as the record champions are still unbeaten but are only third in the table with 17 points. Mainz, on the other hand, is stuck deep in the bottom of the table and is still waiting for its first win of the season.
Mainz – Bayern info:
- Date & Time: 04/22/2023, 18:30 hrs.
- Game venue: MEWA Arena, Mainz
- Competition: Bundesliga, 29. matchday
- TV broadcast: Sky
Mainz form & balance check
In the past second half of the season, Mainz 05 experienced an impressive flight of fancy. At the end of the season, however, the performance waned and Mainz finished the season in ninth place. Under coach Bo Svensson, however, the team has so far failed to build on the successes of the previous second half. After seven matchdays, FSV finds itself in second-to-last place in the table with just two points.
In some ways, the start to the season resembles the horror scenario from the 2020 first half of the season. Before the international break, however, Mainz recorded a small sense of achievement by earning a 2:2 at Gladbach, albeit somewhat fortunately. Nevertheless, FSV has now gone twelve games without a win. The last success was the 3:1 against the upcoming opponent in the last Rückrunde.
Two-legged strength without success
Mainz’s playing philosophy is characterized by physical play, with a focus on winning the ball and quick switching. Under coach Bo Svensson, the players seemed to have fully internalized the system of play in the previous second half of the season and achieved many positive results. This season, however, this approach is not yet working as smoothly.
However, this is by no means due to a lack of commitment on the part of the FSV players. With a total of 758 duels won, Mainz holds the best value in the entire league there. In the coming games, the fans of the Nullfünfer hope that the two-fight strength will also be reflected in positive results.
Mainz facts & analysis
- In 17th place in the Bundesliga standings.
- Played 2-2 against Gladbach before the international break.
- Still without a win this season
Bayern form & balance check
Bayern are having another solid start to the season so far, even if for once the record champion is not beaming from the league throne. That’s where their rivals from Leverkusen are currently, with just two points more. Nevertheless, the FCB has picked up 17 points from its first seven games and is still unbeaten.
After the somewhat disappointing 2:2 against Leipzig in the last away game so far, there was more pleasant news for Bayern fans again just before the international break. In the home match against Freiburg, the record champion was completely convincing and won with a commanding 3:0
Tuchel vs. ex
Thomas Tuchel was at Mainz from 2008 to 2014 and surprisingly took over as head coach in 2009, just five days before the start of the Bundesliga season. This came after the surprise dismissal of then-head coach Jörn Anderson before the first competitive match.
During his five-year tenure in Mainz, the current Bayern coach enjoyed a period of success, leading the team to the Europa League twice, although in both attempts the Nullfünfer failed in the first qualifying round. Now, as FCB coach, he wants to celebrate his first success against his former club.
Bayern facts & analysis
- In 3rd place in the Bundesliga.
- Best offense in the Bundesliga
- Won 3-0 against Freiburg before international break
Predicted lineup – last update on October 21, 2023
Mainz 05 will again feature a 3-4-2-1. Youngster Brajan Gruda will again be the creative element in the offensive midfield. Captain Silvan Widmer is fit again in the meantime, but will probably sit on the bench for the time being.
We expect Bayern to play in a 4-2-3-1 again, with Noussair Mazraoui probably not in the squad. Manuel Neuer could make his comeback on Saturday. Joshua Kimmich, on the other hand, will probably miss the FCB with an injury.
Mainz – Bayern direct comparison & statistics
The previous meetings between Bayern and Mainz speak a clear language: Bayern has won 27, Mainz seven and three encounters ended in a draw. In the last six Bundesliga duels, however, the home team has always prevailed, giving Mainz a win three times. That was also the case on matchday 29 of last season, when FSV won 3:1.
- Bayern’s last Bundesliga win at Mainz was on 02/01/2020.
- Both teams are separated by 15 points in the league.
- Mainz still waiting for first win of the season
