Mainz vs. Freiburg: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Mainz's near-perfect start to the new season under Bo Svensson continued last weekend as the 05ers took all three points from Hoffenheim in a 2-0 win. Jonathan Burkardt and Marcus Ingvartsen - on debut - got the goals to continue the club's remarkable start to 2021/22, which sees them sat fourth in the table with only Wolfsburg conceding fewer than their two goals through the first four games of the season. Mainz suffered a major blow in that win over Hoffenheim, however, with captain and defensive stalwart Moussa Niakhate limping off with a thigh injury that will rule him out for the next six weeks. The Frenchman is set to be replaced by Alexander Hack in Svensson's three-man defence with the hope that his missing presence does not derail things. Aaron Martin is the only other injury doubt while Svensson may hand a first start to Ingvartsen after his scoring debut from the bench, with Karim Onisiwo the candidate to drop to the bench in his place.

Freiburg have amassed just one point fewer than their hosts on Saturday in what is their best-ever start to a Bundesliga season. Christian Streich's side dropped points for the first time since the opening weekend as they drew 1-1 with Cologne thanks to a late Rafael Czichos own goal. With neither Nicolas Höfler nor Jonathan Schmid fit enough to play a part in that game, Streich may well stick with Maximilian Eggestein and Lukas Kübler in central midfield and at right-back respectively, with those the only two injury doubts for Freiburg. Ermedin Demirovic and Nils Petersen could be pushing for a start with Jeong and Höler failing to contribute to a goal in a game for only the second time this season.

Match stats

Ingvartsen came on from the bench to score with his first shot and only his second touch of the ball as a Mainz player on Matchday 3.

The only team Mainz collected six points from last season was Freiburg. The 05ers have recorded more wins against the Black Forest club (14) than any other opponent in their Bundesliga history.

Mainz have scored four of their six goals so far this season in the first 21 minutes, while three of Freiburg's six goals have come in the first 10 minutes.

Former Bayern Munich winger Jeong is set to start a fifth successive Bundesliga match for the first time his his career.

Freiburg have won only one of their 12 Bundesliga games in Mainz (2-1 on 18 January 2020).

It's the first time in 17 years (and therefore under Streich) that Freiburg have made an unbeaten start to a Bundesliga season after four matchdays.

Probable line-ups

Mainz: Zentner - St. Juste, Bell (c), Hack - Widmer, Barreiro, Kohr, Lucoqui - Boetius - Burkardt, Ingvartsen

Out: Niakhate (thigh)

Doubtful: Martin (groin)

Coach: Bo Svensson

Freiburg: Flekken - Kübler, Lienhart, N. Schlotterbeck, Günter (c) - Sallai, Keitel, Eggestein, Grifo - Jeong, Höler

Out: -

Doubtful: Höfler (foot), Schmid (match fitness)

Coach: Christian Streich