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FSV Mainz vs. Bayer Leverkusen
These weeks it’s blow by blow and already on Friday the 23rd matchday in the Bundesliga will be rung in. FSV Mainz 05 and Bayer Leverkusen will meet at 20:30. While Leverkusen are still unbeaten this year, things are going solidly for Mainz. 7 points after 5 games is absolutely fine and the distance to the European places is still quite small at 3 points.
On the last matchday, FSV got a draw at SC Freiburg and scored an irregular goal. A rarity in times of VAR. Now the home game is against the league’s most in-form team, as Leverkusen are in incredibly good form at the moment. They scored 4 goals again against Stuttgart last weekend, giving them 14 goals in their last 3 games. Find out how many we think they’ll add to that tally in this Mainz – Leverkusen tip.
Mainz – Leverkusen info:
– Date & Time: 18.02.2022, 20:30 Uhr
– Venue: Mewa Arena (Mainz)
– Competition: Bundesliga, 23rd matchday
– TV broadcast: In Livestream at DAZN
Mainz Form & Balance Check
After the team had looked certain to be relegated again last season, they have made a 180 degree turnaround with the change of coach to Bo Svensson. The level of play was raised enormously and above all the attitude was completely different. This season has also been going really well so far and the Mainz team has had nothing to do with the bottom of the table right from the start. The points average is stable at just under 1.4 and the gap to the European places is only 3 points. From the point of view of the 05ers, things could hardly be better.
Home strength as the basis for a stable season
Generally, it is the case this season that the majority of the points are taken at home. This is also the case for Mainz and more than three quarters of the points are earned by Bo Svensson’s team at the Mewa Arena. They have already won 7 games at home, a really impressive number. Away from home, the team’s performance is extremely poor, but the home strength makes up for that. We are very curious to see where Mainz will go this season and whether they can actually pull off the surprise.
Mainz facts & analysis
– They have conceded the fewest goals in their own stadium (5).
– In home games Mainz score an average of 2 goals per game
– Top scorer is Jonathan Burkardt with 7 goals
Leverkusen form & balance check
After a relatively disjointed Hinrunde with some fluctuations in performance and lapses in concentration, the team finally seems to have stabilised. The Werkself has an incredible forward drive and probably the best offence in the league at the moment – ahead of Bayern and also Dortmund. In the second half of the season, they have scored by far the most goals and are at the top of the second-round table. 13 points from 15 games reads very well and the highlight so far was the 5:2 against BVB on matchday 21. Meanwhile, they continue to pull away from 4th place and are now 7 points clear.
Can Leverkusen keep the key players?
At the moment, Bayer’s offensive department seems indefensible and Diaby, Schick and Wirtz are in the form of their lives. However, these strong performances are naturally attracting the attention of the competition and in the long term they will probably sign for a top international club. Whether this will happen in the summer remains to be seen. But until then, they will give the Leverkusen fans a lot of joy and provide a few goals.
Leverkusen Facts & Analysis
– They are the only team in the Bundesliga still unbeaten in the second half of the season.
– They have scored an average of 3.6 goals per game so far in the second half of the season
– Leverkusen have last won 4 games in a row
Predicted line-up – last update on 16 Feb 2022
Because of the good form of both teams, there is no big reason to change anything in terms of personnel. It is possible that the more attacking Boetius will come into the starting eleven for Lee. Otherwise, we expect the same eleven as against Freiburg. For Leverkusen, left-back Bakker is suspended and his compatriot Sinkgraven will probably start. Aranguiz could start again on the six, but it is also possible that the in-form Andrich will stay on the field.
Mainz – Leverkusen direct comparison & statistics
In 31 direct comparisons so far, Leverkusen are slightly ahead, as on average they can win just under every second duel. Mainz, on the other hand, have already walked off the field as winners 10 times, but they were defeated 0:1 in the first leg.
– Mainz have not won a single one of their last 8 direct games.
– Last 3 away games at Mainz 05 went to Leverkusen
– An average of 2.9 goals scored in a direct encounter between the two
– Leverkusen have won their last 3 away games at Mainz 05.
