Mainz – Augsburg : Preview & Prediction
Alarm bells could start ringing sooner rather than later for Mainz if they continue their terrible form, as they followed a 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal last week with a 2-1 loss to Union Berlin in their last league game. The loss to Union means they have won just one of their last eight Bundesliga games (E2, P5), but at least a great start to Mainz’s campaign means they currently sit in twelfth place and seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Coach Bo Svensson will know that his team’s defensive problems have been his kryptonite recently, as Mainz failed to keep a clean sheet in those aforementioned eight games. The 05ers will return to the Mewa Arena with just two home wins this season (E4, P4), although they made their nickname count in both after scoring five times in each victory.
Sitting one place and two points behind Mainz are Augsburg, who are turning their season around by winning two of their last three games (P1) after failing to win any of their previous nine (E3, P6). Those two wins saw them keep a clean sheet, which is a big turnaround on defense as they equaled their number of clean sheets in the first 17 matches of the season.
Coach Enrico Maaßen will need to inspire his troops as they make the trip to their next opponent’s home as his team has failed to win any of their last five away games (E1, P4). Both teams have scored in all five of those matches, for an average of 4.6 goals per game, which suggests that this will be quite a busy clash.
Players to watch: Karim Onisiwo has been involved in five goals in his last five appearances for Mainz against Augsburg (three goals, two assists). For the visitors, Mërgim Berisha has opened the scoring in five of the last six games in which he has found the back of the net.
Weekend stat: Only one of the last 19 Bundesliga meetings between the two clubs has resulted in a draw, with the other 18 being split with nine wins for both Mainz and Augsburg.
Mainz – Augsburg : Betting Tips
Mainz – Win Odds: 1.95
