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

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After making a winning start to the season against RB Leipzig, Bo Svensson's men crashed to a 2-0 defeat at promoted Bochum last weekend, stalling the progress the 05ers have made ever since Svensson took charge late last year and guided them to a remarkable recovery as one of the best teams in the Bundesliga during the second half of the season. While Moussa Niakhate supplied the goal in their win over Leipzig, Boetius scored in their DFB Cup win over Elversberg, and all eyes will be on him to deliver the goods again when another promoted team come to visit. Several first-team players returned to the squad last weekend, and Svensson looks set to hand starts to the likes of Jerry St. Juste, Anton Stach and Karim Onisiwo.

Fürth are still waiting for their first win back in the Bundesliga, but a 1-1 draw with Arminia Bielefeld last week provided some much-needed encouragement after a baptism of fire on Matchday 1, which ended in a 5-1 defeat at VfB Stuttgart. USMNT international Julian Green could have some new company alongside him in midfield with Jeremy Dudziak pushing to start following his switch from Hamburg, having debuted late on in the draw with Bielefeld. Hans Sarpei might be a canditate to make way, although his battling qualities could be invaluable. Gideon Jung, who injured his knee in the pre-match warm-up last weekend, has not recovered so Justin Hoogma should keep his place at the heart of the defence.

Match stats

Adam Szalai opened the scoring in Mainz's most recent league meeting with Fürth - a 3-0 away win on 26 January 2013.

Despite having a hand in 30 goals in 95 competitive appearances for Mainz, Boetius is yet to start a game in 2021/22.

Mainz have lost just one of their last six home Bundesliga matches under Svensson (W3, D2).

Green has produced 21 goals and seven assists in Bundesliga 2, but is seven Bundesliga appearances without a goal involvement.

Hrgota is fresh off scoring his first top-flight goal since 13 May 2017, when he found the net for Eintracht Frankfurt in a 4-2 loss to Mainz. The Swede opened his German top-flight account with a hat-trick in Borussia Mönchengladbach colours against the 05ers on 11 May 2013.

Mainz was the venue of Fürth's first-ever Bundesliga win back on Matchday 2 of 2012/13. They recorded just three more wins, though, before suffering an immediate return to the second tier.

Probable line-ups

Mainz: Zentner - St. Juste, Bell, Niakhate (c) - Widmer, Barreiro, Stach, Martin - Boetius - Burkardt, Onisiwo

Out: -

Doubtful: Nemeth (not included)

Coach: Bo Svensson

Fürth: Burchert - Meyerhöfer, Bauer, Hoogma, Itter - Seguin, Sarpei, Green - Nielsen - Abiama, Hrgota (c)

Out: Jung (knee), Ngankam (knee)

Doubtful: Kehr (groin)

Coach: Stefan Leitl