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

The hosts are undefeated in their opening three matches, and currently sit fourth, meanwhile, the visitors are yet to pick up a single point this season.

Match preview

Mainz have looked good so far this season, securing two victories and a draw across their opening three games in order to find themselves in one of the Champions League spots at the moment.

The squad kickstarted their campaign with a 2-1 win against VFL Bochum, and they followed it up with a goalless draw against Union Berlin in what was their first home match.

Their most recent outing came against Augsburg which saw Karim Onisiwo give them the lead, and even though it got cut back Mainz still took all three points after a last-minute winner from Lee Jae-Sung.

Throughout the 2021-22 campaign the squad were only defeated twice at home, showcasing their ability to create a hostile atmosphere in order to pick up results.

Even though Mainz were strong at home last season, they did just miss out on a European slot by six points, and that is something they shall be pushing to improve upon this time around.

The visitors might have finished third-placed in the last campaign, things have started poorly this time around, and they head into this game without a win in four matches across all competitions.

Bayer Leverkusen were knocked out of the DFB Pokal against SV Elversberg in a thrilling 4-3 match, and that has continued into their opening three Bundesliga fixtures.

Since then Gerardo Seoane's men have struggled to get things going, and a big issue they have been dealing with is a lack of goals as they have only scored once in the league.

Charles Aranguiz was the man who scored that in a 2-1 defeat against Augsburg, and the game before that saw them lose 1-0 against Borussia Dortmund.

Leverkusen's most recent outing took place last weekend against Hoffenheim where they were beaten 3-0 despite dominating the possession.

Mainz 05 Bundesliga form:

Mainz 05 form (all competitions):

Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga form:

Bayer Leverkusen form (all competitions):

Team News

Mainz were without Danny da Costa in their most recent outing, and that is likely going to be the case again this Saturday due to a pubic bone problem.

Even though there were doubts about Jonathan Burkardt last weekend over a muscle strain, he did end up being fit enough to start which is a boost to their options.

Lukas Hradecky was able to return between the sticks for Bayer Leverkusen last weekend following his suspension, but the pressure will be on the goalkeeper once again to try and secure their first clean sheet of the season.

At the other end of the field improved performances are also needed after the squad have scored just a single goal throughout the opening three games.

Amine Adli has been out of action due to a collarbone problem, while the visitors could also be without Karim Bellarabi and Florian Wirtz due to knee injuries.

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:

Zentner; Bell, Hack, Leitsch; Caricol, Fulgini, Kohr, Stach, Widmer; Burkardt, Onisiwo

Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:

Hradecky; Frimpong, Tah, Tapsoda, Hincapie; Andrich, Aranguiz; Diaby, Azmoun, Hlozek; Schick

We say: Mainz 05 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen

The visitors might be a team that a lot of fans have high expectations of this season, but so far it has been a tough campaign for Bayer Leverkusen, and they head into this one with low confidence.

That is the opposite for Mainz, particularly when it comes to games at home, which is why they will walk into this one as the firm favourites.

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