Preview: Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz 05 – prediction, group information, lineups

Bayer Leverkusen threat being minimize adrift from the Bundesliga‘s prime 4 in the event that they lose in opposition to guests Mainz 05 at Bay Arena on Saturday.

The sixth-placed hosts have 39 factors however they may finish the weekend seven factors behind fourth-placed Stuttgart, whereas Thirteenth-placed Mainz have 22 factors having drawn 1-1 with Hamburger SV on February 20.

Match preview

Leverkusen suffered a harmful 1-0 defeat against Union Berlin on February 21, a recreation wherein they solely produced one shot on the right track, they usually additionally solely mustered one effort on the right track after they have been held to a goalless stalemate by Olympiacos on Tuesday.

The membership had solely as soon as produced one or fewer photographs on the right track in a contest this season previous to their most up-to-date two, although they’ve stored three clear sheets of their final 4 outings.

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand‘s aspect will face 4 of the division’s backside eight of their subsequent six Bundesliga video games, whereas they face 4 of the highest 10 of their ultimate six fixtures, together with RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart.

Die Werkself have confirmed tough to greatest in latest weeks given their loss in opposition to Union stands as their solely defeat since January 26, a stretch that noticed them win six occasions and accept stalemates on two events.

Leverkusen’s draw with Olympiacos at dwelling prolonged their unbeaten streak at Bay Arena to 5 video games, although they didn’t triumph in a fifth consecutive match on the stadium.

© Imago

Mainz largely restricted Hamburger to long-range strikes, and they’d have taken three factors had Fabio Vieira not netted a Sixty fourth-minute free kick.

Urs Fischer has overseen one loss and one attract his aspect’s previous two Bundesliga matches, although his group have nonetheless collected 10 factors from the final 15 on supply, together with his gamers scoring eight occasions and conceding seven objectives in that stretch.

Despite a interval of constructive outcomes, the membership are solely two factors forward of Sixteenth-placed St Pauli, who occupy the division’s relegation playoff spot.

The guests are on the lookout for their first victory in 5 conferences with Leverkusen, and they’re going to hope to avenge their 4-3 defeat within the reverse fixture in October 2025.

Die Nullfunfer nonetheless have appreciable room for enchancment on the highway given they’ve solely gained one among their 11 most up-to-date clashes away from dwelling, with the aspect succumbing to defeat seven occasions.

Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga type:

Bayer Leverkusen type (all competitions):

Mainz 05 Bundesliga type:

Team News

© Imago / Chai v.d. Laage

With centre-back Loic Bade coping with a thigh drawback, Leverkusen look set to start out midfielder Robert Andrich in defence as soon as once more, stationing him alongside Jarell Quansah and Edmond Tapsoba.

Aleix Garcia featured within the XI in a double pivot in opposition to Olympiacos, and will he retain his place, he could seem subsequent to Ezequiel Fernandez.

Forwards Eliesse Ben Seghir (ankle) and Nathan Tella (foot) have been dominated out, although striker Patrik Schick is able to play his half on Saturday.

Mainz are beset by accidents to key stars, together with centre-back Stefan Bell, goalkeeper Robin Zentner and attacker Benedict Hollerbach.

Daniel Batz is the almost certainly candidate to be trusted in purpose, whereas he might be protected by a again three consisting of Dominik Kohr, Stefan Posch and Kacper Potulski.

The guests could area a entrance two of Silas and Phillip Tietz, who have been each chosen from the beginning final outing.

Bayer Leverkusen doable beginning lineup:

Blaswich; Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba; Arthur, Fernandez, Garcia, Grimaldo; Maza, Poku; Schick

Mainz 05 doable beginning lineup:

Batz; Kohr, Posch, Potulski; Da Costa, Lee, Sano, Amiri, Widmer; Silas, Tietz

We say: Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Mainz 05

Leverkusen’s attacking performances have let the group down not too long ago, however they’re lucky that Mainz have hardly ever loved travelling.

The guests’ document in opposition to their hosts is poor, so whereas the house group could encounter issues, they need to nonetheless come away with three factors.

For knowledge evaluation of the almost certainly outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.