Preview: Hoffenheim vs. Mainz 05 - prediction, team news, lineups

Only one point separates the two sides heading into this clash, with both teams holding top-half positions.

Match preview

Having won their previous three matches, Hoffenheim travelled to Borussia Dortmund full of confidence that they could cause an upset.

However, Andre Breitenreiter's side struggled to lay a glove on their opponents, with Marco Reus's close-range strike capping an utterly dominant first-half display from the hosts, which should have led to more goals for them.

Georginio Rutter's scuffed effort was the closest Die Kraichgauer came to levelling the proceedings, but Breitenreiter should not concern himself too much with losing to one of the stronger teams in the Bundesliga, especially having witnessed his side show great resolve to dig in and remain in the match.

Indeed, there is every chance that they can get back on track at home against Mainz this weekend, especially having won both of their home matches so far this season.

Mainz upset the apple cart with a third successive away win at Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend, with Bo Svensson's men running out 1-0 winners.

Die Nullfunfer may be yet to win at home this season, but on the road they appear to be a team to be feared, although they were undoubtedly helped by Ko Itakura's 53rd-minute dismissal for a professional foul.

It turned out to be a hugely decisive minute of action as Aaron Caricol scored a sublime goal from the ensuing free-kick, with the wing-back curling a left-footed strike into the top corner and beyond the reach of Yann Sommer.

Up until that point, Robin Zentner and some superb defending in front of him had repeatedly denied the in-form Marcus Thuram in particular, and Svensson will be hoping for much more of the same away to Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Hoffenheim Bundesliga form:

Hoffenheim form (all competitions):

Mainz 05 Bundesliga form:

Mainz 05 form (all competitions):

Team News

Hoffenheim remain without Ihlas Bebou, Ermin Bicakcic, Philipp Pentke, Stanley Nsoki and club captain Benjamin Hubner due to injury this weekend.

As such, it would be somewhat surprising if Breitenreiter made any changes to the same starting XI which has taken to the field in each of their last three matches, although Munas Dabbur may hope for a start alongside Andrej Kramaric in attack.

Mainz, meanwhile, are likely to travel without Marcus Ingvartsen and Danny da Costa due to injuries.

Like his counterpart, Svensson has a very settled team at his disposal and is unlikely to make any alterations, with only Angelo Fulgini the possible incoming player at Lee Jae-sung's expense.

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:

Baumann; Kabak, Vogt, Akpoguma; Skov, Promel, Geiger, Angelino; Baumgartner; Kramaric, Rutter

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:

Zentner; Bell, Hack, Leitsch; Widmer, Kohr, Barreiro, Aaron; Lee; Burkardt, Onisiwo

We say: Hoffenheim 1-1 Mainz 05

Hoffenheim have won both home matches with Mainz winning all three away, so something has to give here.

With very little to split these two sides, we would not be surprised if both of those winning runs come to an end in the form of a share of the spoils on Saturday.

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