FSV Mainz 05 is welcoming Bayern Munich to Opel Arena in round 20 of German Bundesliga.
Mainz is an average Bundesliga team who is fighting to stay outside the relegation zone in the standings. With only 18 points from 19 games, Mainz is in 15th place in the Bundesliga standings, just 1 point above the relegation zone. The attack has been solid for Mainz with 27 scored goals, but their defense is a disaster and has conceded 44 goals in 19 games. Mainz has lost 5 of their last 8 games, including their last 3 games in Bundesliga. In their most recent Bundesliga match against M’gladbach away from home, Mainz had only 29% of ball possession, 9 shots on goal, 3 corner kicks, and low 65% of accurate passes. Mainz had an early lead after Quaison scored a goal in 11th minute, but after that everything went downhill for Mainz and in the end, they lost this match 3-1. After this game against Bayern, schedule for Mainz is not getting any easier and it will be extremely hard for Mainz to stay outside the relegation zone. Quaison has scored 8 goals for Mainz so far in the season, while Boetius has 3 goals and 5 assists. Fernandes and Kunde are both injured and will not play in this match. As I said, Mainz is an average team and there is not much coach Beierlorzer can do of there is not enough quality in the roster. Mainz’s main competitor to stay outside the relegation zone is Werder who is the better team, but there is still a lot of games left and anything can happen.
Bayern is playing great soccer at the moment, and just in time for the Champions League in late February. Bayern is in the second place in Bundesliga standings with 39 points, just 1 point behind Leipzig who is at the top. Overall, Bayern is the best team in Bundesliga with 55 scored goals, 22 conceded goals, and the biggest depth in the roster. In their last 2 Bundesliga matches, Bayern has scored massive 9 goals and was able to keep the clean sheet. In their most recent match in Bundesliga against Schalke at home, Bayern was absolutely dominant with 75% of ball possession, massive 14 shots on goal, 9 corner kicks, and high 90% of the correct passes. I was watching this game and I think it was Bayern’s best game in Bundesliga this season which they won 5-0 and could have easily score 5 more goals. Lewandowski has scored 21 goals in 19 games for Bayern this season and is one of the top goal scorers in Europe, while Gnarby added 7 goals, and Coutinho has 6 goals. Hernandez, Sule, Coman, and Martinez are all injured and will not be playing. There is a little time left until Hernandez and Sule are recovered, and that is something that will make Bayern and coach Flick very happy because both of them are good, stable defenders, something Bayern will need in their Champions League run. Bundesliga is really exciting this season, and I hoped that someone will be able to take the title from Bayern, but seeing how good Bayern is playing, that will be hard. Sure, Leipzig is at the top right now, but only 1 point ahead of Bayern, and M’gladbach is 1 point behind Bayern, while Borussia Dortmund in 4th with 36 points. As I said, Bundesliga is fun and interesting this season, and there are 4 teams that are competing hard for the title.
Mainz haven’t won any of their last 5 games against Bayern who away record this season is 5-2-2. Bayern is the better team in every aspect here, but the price is steep. I will have to find something to knock the price down.
Goran’s Pick Bayern -2.5 +110
AUTHOR: Goran Kucar
Follow Goran Kucar on Twitter @GoranKucar