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Hoffenheim logo
Bundesliga | Gameweek 6
Sep 10, 2022 at 2.30pm UK
Rhein-Neckar-Arena
Mainz logo

Hoffenheim
4 - 1
Mainz 05

Kramaric (53'), Promel (69'), Dabour (80'), Kaderabek (90+2')
Baumgartner (9'), Akpoguma (10'), Vogt (66')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Kohr (83')
Svensson (43'), Onisiwo (85'), Bell (87')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Bundesliga clash between Hoffenheim and Mainz 05, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Hoffenheim take on Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

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


Match preview

Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramaric celebrates scoring their first goal with Ihlas Bebou  on January 22, 2022© Reuters

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 that 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 05 coach Bo Svensson on February 26, 2022© Reuters

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:
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L

Hoffenheim form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L

Mainz 05 Bundesliga form:
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W

Mainz 05 form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W


Team News

Hoffenheim's Christoph Baumgartner celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 12, 2022© Reuters

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


SM words green background

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.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Written by
Brett Curtis

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Game History

How you voted: Hoffenheim vs Mainz 05

Hoffenheim
Draw
Mainz 05
Hoffenheim
52.1%
Draw
25.0%
Mainz 05
22.9%
48
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayern MunichBayern26195275245162
2Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen26168259332656
3Mainz 05Mainz26136744281645
4Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt26136754401445
5RB Leipzig2611964133842
6Freiburg2612683638-242
7Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach26124104340340
8Wolfsburg2610884940938
9Augsburg2610882935-638
10Stuttgart2610794743437
11Borussia DortmundDortmund26105114541435
12Werder Bremen2696114053-1333
13Union BerlinUnion Berlin2677122438-1428
14Hoffenheim2668123248-1626
15St Pauli2674152030-1025
16Heidenheim2654173152-2119
17VfL BochumVfL Bochum2646162653-2718
18Holstein Kiel2645173864-2617


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