On Friday night, Mainz host Champions League chasing Schalke in the Bundesliga, with both teams in need of points to achieve their respective aims this season.
An unconvincing run of recent form in the Bundesliga has seen Mainz drop into the relegation play-off spot in the German top-flight. However, the home side are only behind 15th place Wolfsburg on goal difference, so any positive result in this clash would move them up the table.
Sandro Schwarz’s side heads into this game on the back of a three-game unbeaten after a 0-0 draw at fellow strugglers Hamburg last time out in the Bundesliga. Despite the slight upturn in form of late, Mainz have still won just one of their last six games in the German top-flight.
Their recent home form in the Bundesliga is also a big concern, as they have lost three of their last five league games on home soil while recording just one win. The home side have also conceded at least two goals in four of their last five home games in the league.
Schalke are currently enjoying a strong campaign in the Bundesliga. In fact, the visitors are second in the German top-flight table, fighting for the Champions League spots. The Gelsenkirchen outfit are just two points clear of fifth-place Bayer Leverkusen in the race for a top-four spot, though.
Schalke have now won their last three Bundesliga games, including beating Hertha Berlin 1-0 in their last outing in the German top-flight.
Domenico Tedesco’s side have been inconsistent on their travels in the Bundesliga of late, winning just two of their last seven away games in the league. Both teams have scored in five of Schalke’s last seven games on the road in the German top-flight.
Schalke are the team in form heading into this clash and Forebet predicts the visitors will record a vital victory in their quest for Champions League football for next season.