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VfB Stuttgart – FSV Mainz
On Saturday it’s finally that time again. The first Bundesliga conference of the year is on the schedule and at 15:30 the ball is about to roll in several stadiums. The 16th matchday will be completed and thus the 18 teams still have two games ahead of them before the first half of the season is over. The focus will also be on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Stuttgart this Saturday. It will also be Bruno Labbadia’s comeback as coach of the Swabians, and you can find out whether the new manager will win right from the start in our Stuttgart – Mainz tip.
The first 15 games of the 2022/23 season have been played and the table reads anything but good from the Swabians’ point of view. The 2007 German champions are in 16th place with 14 points. Coach Labbadia’s task is no less than to lead the Swabians to the relegation zone. The upcoming opponents from Mainz, with 19 points and in tenth place, have had a much quieter last few weeks, but the 05ers have also been anything but in good form lately. Mainz have been waiting for a win for four games and have suffered three defeats in that period.
Stuttgart – Mainz info:
– Date & Time: 21.01.2023 15:30 hrs.
– Venue: Mercedes Benz Arena, Stuttgart
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 16
– TV broadcast: Sky
Stuttgart Form & Balance Check
At VfB Stuttgart you can sense something like a spirit of optimism. The Swabians have a lot planned for the new year and especially the signing of coach Bruno Labbadia should help the Swabians. The former coach of Hertha BSC and HSV started his second term with the Swabians a few weeks ago. Labbadia will have to draw on the home strength of the last few games in particular this coming Saturday. VfB developed into a real home power in the last four games. Most recently, they won three games in the Bundesliga and one in the DFB Cup at home in the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Mainz comes in very handy
In the last five games in the Bundesliga, victory and defeat always alternated. Most recently, there was a 0:2 at the Werkself from Leverkusen and if the Swabians remain true to their line, then there should be another victory on Saturday. Mainz is also a team against whom Stuttgart have always looked very good in recent games. VfB have not lost to the 05ers in four games and after three wins in a row, they drew 0-0 in their last match. If they are to manage to stay in the relegation zone, they will have to be much more effective, especially away from home. Stuttgart set an internal club record last year. The Swabians did not win a single away game in the entire calendar year.
Stuttgart facts & analysis
– Stuttgart are 16th in the table with 14 points.
– Won last 4 home games.
– Last lost 0:2 at Leverkusen
Mainz form & balance check
Actually, the 05ers could have gone into the new year with a very good feeling, had it not been for the last few games. The Mainz side have not won in four games and in that time coach Bo Svensson’s team has lost three. Nevertheless, Mainz’s performance in the first 15 games is quite respectable. One of the reasons why things did not go well for the 05ers in the last few games was their lack of chances in front of goal. Jonathan Burkardt in particular was often criticised for not making consistent use of his opportunities. In the last game, the 1:1 against Eintracht Frankfurt, it was finally time. The captain of the German U21s scored for the first time after 21 shots on goal this season.
Still in hibernation?
If we go by the last few years, there will be a defeat for Mainz in the upcoming match. In recent years, the 05ers have always come out of the winter break very poorly and since the 3-2 from 2019 against Stuttgart, Mainz always lost the first game of the new year. The aim is to put an end to this negative series on Saturday. It’s just as well, the 05er fans will think, that another game away from home is on the agenda. Mainz have been very strong in away games so far. The Svensson team has already won four matches away from home. In comparison, there has only been one win at home.
Mainz facts & analysis
– Without a win for 4 games.
– Already picked up 4 away wins
– Lost last 3 opening games into the new year
Predicted line-up – last update on 20 January 2023
Bruno Labbadia will rely on the usual 3-4-3 for his comeback as VfB coach. The Swabians will have to do without Führich and left-back Sosa in the upcoming match. Both will probably miss a few more weeks. In attack, Silas, Guirass and Tomas, three very fast players, could start. The upcoming opponents from Mainz also rely on a 3-4-3. The 05ers have a somewhat larger lazaretto to report. Bell is missing with his fifth yellow card. Burkardt, Burgzorg, Mustapha and Leitsch are all missing due to injury. For Mainz, the front line consists of Onisiwo, Ingvartsen and Lee.
Stuttgart – Mainz direct comparison & statistics
Both teams have faced each other in 32 games so far and the Swabians have won 13 of them. Mainz have twelve wins and seven draws.
– Both teams have not won their last match in the Bundesliga.
– The average number of goals scored in a clash between VfB Stuttgart and FSV Mainz is 3.
– The last match ended in a draw. (0-0)
– FSV Mainz have conceded one goal in each of their last 6 matches
