Mainz 05 will look to halt a dreadful run of results in the Bundesliga this weekend when they play host to Augsburg at Mewa Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts are enduring one of the worst campaigns in their top-flight history, currently second-bottom in the league standings, while the visitors will head into this match in 11th place.
Match preview
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After ending the 2022-23 campaign just four points outside the European qualification spots, Mainz have experienced a massive fall from grace this term, having only managed 12 points from their first 21 league matches this season.
The 05ers have won only one league match to date while drawing nine and losing 11, which is the joint-worst start to a top-flight campaign since Schalke back in 2020-21 when they finished bottom of the table.
Their poor form this season has already resulted in the axing of two managers, with Jan Siewert being dismissed by the club last week just 12 matches after taking the reins from his predecessor Bo Svensson.
Bo Henriksen has now been appointed to the hot seat on a two-year deal from FC Zurich and will begin the sizeable task of steering the club from Rheinhessen to safety by the end of the season this weekend.
However, history is certainly not on the side of the new boss as only one team has ever managed to make up such a large gap to safety in the second half of a Bundesliga season (Augsburg in 2012-13).
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In contrast, after narrowly avoiding relegation from the German top flight last term, Augsburg will head into this contest firmly set in the mid-table and 11 points clear of their opponents and the dotted line.
However, despite their improved league position, it is worth pointing out that with 23 points after 21 league matches, Augsburg are still one point worse off than they were at the same point last season.
Fuggerstadter will head to Mainz after managing to secure a point against fifth-placed RB Leipzig following a spirited display that led to a 2-2 draw against the Bulls, which also saw them leapfrog Wolfsburg in the league standings.
Jess Thorup's side will be full of confidence for this match as they have a very good record against this opponent, beating them more times than any other side in the top flight (12) and scoring in each of their last 13 Bundesliga encounters, which is their longest scoring streak against any team.
In addition, Augsburg are still undefeated in away matches this year, following their 2-1 victory against Borussia Monchengladbach in January and a last-gasp 1-1 draw against Bochum at the start of this month.
Team News
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Mainz have several players listed as doubts owing to illness for this weekend's encounter with Augsburg, including the likes of goalkeeper Robin Zentner, forward Jonathan Burkardt and defender Silvan Widmer.
Maxim Leitsch (groin), Phillipp Mwene (back) and Nelson Weiper (knee) have all been ruled out of action until next month due to injury, while Stefan Bell is expected to miss a large portion of the remainder of the season.
Augsburg will also be without a few key players, with Reece Oxford (illness), Dion Beljo (hip) and Raphael Framberger (cruciate ligament) on the treatment table, while Fredrik Jensen is a doubt.
Ermedin Demirovic has been a pivotal player for Augsburg this season, contributing 12 goals and five assists so far and should continue to lead the line here alongside Phillip Tietz, who has five goals and two assists this term.
Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:
Riess; Hanche-Olsen, Van den Berg, Fernandes; Da Costa, Barreiro, Kohr, Caci; Gruda, Amiri; Ajorque
Augsburg possible starting lineup:
Dahmen; Mbabu, Gouweleeuw, Uduokhai, Iago; Engels, Jakic, Rexhbecaj; Vargas; Tietz, Demirovic
We say: Mainz 05 1-2 Augsburg
Mainz have been very poor this season and look destined for the drop unless they can manage a major turnaround in the second half of the league campaign. However, having recorded only one victory in 21 matches to date, it is difficult to make much of a case for them in this one.
This will certainly not be an easy match for Augsburg, but we are backing them to claim the points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
