For much of the season, Mainz have struggled for points in the Bundesliga and many have written off their chances of escaping the relegation zone this season. However, a shock 3-2 win over RB Leipzig gave the Bo Svensson’s team a glimmer of hope in the relegation battle.
On Friday night, Mainz have another opportunity to enhance their survival hopes, as they pay a visit to mid-table Stuttgart.
The preparation for #VfBM05 is under way! 💪#Mainz05 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/rSmenAytFC— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) January 26, 2021
The preparation for #VfBM05 is under way! 💪#Mainz05 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/rSmenAytFC
Die Roten have enjoyed a solid return to the German top-flight this season. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team are seven points from the relegation play-off spot, but also eight points from the leagues top-six.
The home side will see this game as a chance to get back to winning ways after a poor recent spell in the German top-flight. They head into this clash on the back of just one victory in their last seven matches in the Bundesliga, having suffered back-to-back defeats against Arminia Bielefeld and Freiburg.
Matarazzo’s team have yet to win a home game in the Bundesliga this season and earlier in the campaign were something of away-day specialists. Those away wins have dried up, so they need to start winning at the Mercedes Benz Arena.
So, there is life left in Mainz after all. The victory of Leipzig ended a nine-game winless run in the Bundesliga for the visitors and moved them to within five points of Koln who are in the relegation play-off spot. The Billy Goats have been in poor form themselves, so Mainz may not yet be finished this season.
Mainz have failed to win in their last four away games in the German top-flight while winning just once in nine outings on their travels in the Bundesliga.
Forebet predicts that Stuttgart will finally pick up that first home win of the Bundesliga season and dash Mainz’s survival hopes in the process.