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Mainz will be keen to bounce back from their weekend reverse against Bayern Munich with what would be a first home win against Hertha in over two years. Bo Svensson named an unchanged side for last Saturday's trip to the Allianz Arena, where the 05ers went down 2-1 against the champions despite a solid showing which produced a first-half lead through Karim Onisiwo's opener. Tuesday's hosts - who are still without injured defender Jeremiah St. Juste and midfielder Dominik Kohr - are eighth in the standings and will look to push on with their in-form forward and Germany U21 captain Jonathan Burkardt - no German has more competitive club goals this season across Europe's top five leagues than his 10 - leading the line at the MEWA Arena. Svensson will have little performance-based reasons to change his team but may look to keep his team fresh with three games in a week.
Hertha have suffered just one defeat in five games and are unbeaten in their last three following a 2-0 home triumph against Arminia Bielefeld at the weekend. Along with new coach Tayfun Korkut now boasting his first win in charge of the Old Lady, the visitors have Stevan Jovetic in fine fettle following the striker's fourth goal in his last four appearances. Boosted by the return of Kevin-Prince Boateng to first-team action for the first time since 2 October in the 2-2 draw at VfB Stuttgart, Hertha also welcomed back midfielders Suat Serdar and Lucas Tousart at the weekend. All three will be hoping for more game time against Mainz - as well as late goalscorer Davie Selke - although Korkut may not want to change a winning formula, despite the added burden of a midweek game.
Match stats
Burkardt could yet break the Mainz club record for most Bundesliga goals in a Hinrunde. Former midfielder Yunus Malli scored eight times during the first half of 2015/16.
Svensson boasts the best points-per-game average in Mainz's Bundesliga history (1.54), ahead of Thomas Tuchel (1.41) and Jürgen Klopp (1.13).
Mainz are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Hertha (W2, D2), and in their previous six against the Old Lady on home soil (W3, D3).
Jovetic has a team-leading five goals in nine appearances for Hertha this season. Three of those efforts have fallen on the road.
Boateng's last Bundesliga goal came against Mainz back on 17 March 2018. He's scored three across five top-flight meetings with the 05ers.
Korkut has faced Mainz four times as a coach (D2, L2), losing two of three at the MEWA Arena.
Probable line-ups
Mainz: Zentner - Bell, Hack, Niakhate (c) - Widmer, Boetius, Barreiro, Stach, Martin - Burkardt, Onisiwo
Out: Kohr (thigh), Lucoqui (knee), St. Juste (shoulder)
Doubtful: -
Coach: Bo Svensson
Hertha: Schwolow - Zeefuik, Boyata (c), Stark, Plattenhardt - Darida, Ascacibar, Serdar - Richter, Belfodil, Jovetic
Out: M. Dardai (muscular), Jarstein (knee), Klünter (shoulder), Pekarik (muscular)
Doubtful: -
Coach: Tayfun Korkut